How scientists are thinking about reopening labs, and the global threat of arsenic in drinking water

Science Magazine Podcast

Science Podcast

News, News Commentary, Science

4.3 • 842 Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2020

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Online news editor David Grimm talks with producer Joel Goldberg about the unique challenges of reopening labs amid the coronavirus pandemic. Though the chance to resume research may instill a sense of hope, new policies around physical distancing and access to facilities threaten to derail studies—and even careers. Despite all the uncertainty, the crisis could result in new approaches that ultimately benefit the scientific community, and the world. Also this week, Joel Podgorski, a senior scientist in the Water Resources and Drinking Water Department at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss the global threat of arsenic in drinking water. Arsenic is basically present in all rocks in minute amounts. Under the right conditions it can leach into groundwater and poison drinking water. Without a noticeable taste or smell, arsenic contamination can go undetected for years. The paper, published in Science, estimates that more than 100 million people are at risk of drinking arsenic contaminated water and provides a guide for the most important places to test. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. Listen to previous podcasts About the Science Podcast Download a transcript (PDF) ++ [Image: Ian Aiden Relkoff/Wikipedia; Music: Jeffrey Cook] Authors: Sarah Crespi; Joel Goldberg; David Grimm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Morgan State University, a Baltimore, Maryland Carnegie R2 doctoral research institution,
0:05.0	offers more than 100 academic programs and awards degrees at the Baccliorate, Masters, and Doctoral Levels,
0:12.0	is furthering their mission of growing the future leading the world.
0:16.0	Morgan continues to address the needs and challenges of the modern urban environment.
0:20.0	With a four-year quadrupling of research, more than a dozen new doctoral programs,
0:25.7	and eight new National Centers of Excellence, Morgan is positioned to achieve Carnegie R1 designation in the next five years.
0:33.7	To learn more about Morgan and their ascension to R1, visit morgan.edu slash research.
0:46.4	Welcome to the science podcast for May 22nd, 2020.
0:50.9	I'm Joel Goldberg.
0:52.9	First up this week, our online news editor, David Grimm, joins me to talk about reopening
0:58.0	labs.
0:59.0	What can scientists do to continue their work safely?
1:02.0	Next, we have researcher Joel Pogorski.
1:05.0	He talks with both Sarah Crespi about the global threat of arsenic and groundwater.
1:10.0	More than 100 million people are at risk of drinking arsenic contaminated water worldwide.
1:15.0	This study aims to point out which places need testing.
1:21.7	We now speak with David Grimm, online news editor at Science.
1:26.7	His recent article navigates the treacherous
1:29.1	waters of researchers returning to their labs and fieldwork amid the coronavirus pandemic.
1:34.8	Even for scientists fortunate enough to resume their research, strange situations await.
1:40.6	Greatly reduced lab teams, physical distancing, and face masks, and the risk of coronavirus infection, to name a few.
1:47.8	Hi, David.
	...

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