California Student To Represent U.S. In Prestigious International Water Science Competition

White Plains, N.Y., – Joyce Chai of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. was named the U.S. winner of the 2008 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) – the most prestigious international student competition for water-related research – during a ceremony this past weekend at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Fla. Chai's project was chosen from among 40 winners of state-level SJWP competitions. The Water Environment Federation administers the U.S. competition with support from ITT Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and Delta Air Lines. ITT is also the prize's international sponsor.

The student's work, "Modeling the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles under varying environmental conditions," was judged to be a novel technique for quantifying the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles, or nanosilver, to the world's water sources and the environment. Nanosilver is used in a wide range of products including household appliances, cleaners, clothing, children's toys, and personal care products such as toothpaste. The research rejects the claim by some manufacturers and others that products containing nanosilver are safe for the environment. Chai's project took steps to prove that nanosilver is harmful to its surrounding environment, even when put through a water filtration system.

"Since its inception, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize has touched more than 500,000 students around the world through regional, national and international competitions," said Angela Buonocore, senior vice president and chief communications officer for ITT. "By encouraging young scientists like Joyce to research water issues today, we're helping to create the next generation of leaders who will need to address the significant water environment issues facing our global community now and in the future."

Chai, who attends Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., received $3,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against national winners from more than 30 countries for the international honor during World Water Week, August 17-23. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will present the international award during a ceremony held in conjunction with the Stockholm Water Symposium.

In addition, Chai's school will receive a $1,000 grant toward enhancing water science education and she will present her research to more than 18,000 water quality professionals at WEFTEC 08, the Water Environment Federation's 81st annual technical exhibition and conference this October in Chicago.

Three U.S. finalists, Timothy Chang from Rego Park, N.Y., Ashutosh Patra from Portland, Ore., and Eugene Rodrick from Gainesville, Fla., also received a $1,000 award.

This year marks the 12th consecutive year that ITT has sponsored the SJWP competition that now includes participants from 32 countries including Singapore, which will send its first representative to the international competition this year. In addition, in 2005 the company created the ITT Award for Excellence in Student Water Journalism, which sends an aspiring student water journalist to Sweden to report from the ceremony.

For more information about SJWP and to download the winning abstracts, visit www.wef.org. To request high resolution images of the winners, contact Lori Harrison at lharrison@wef.org.

SOURCE: The Water Environment Federation