Griffith University

The Griffith Health Group Honours program is an additional year of undergraduate study available to students who have recently completed their undergraduate degree. It allows you to undertake advanced study and supervised research in the health field.

• Explore a stimulating area of research that interests you
  
• Conduct research in world-class research centres
• Work alongside researchers who are leaders in their scientific field
• Develop skills and gain knowledge that will enhance your employment options

Through research you can play a part in solving today's complex problems in health and human services, and in the process develop diverse and transferable skills that will make you attractive to employers.

Research reigns in fears about water quality

Rainwater tanks have developed a poor reputation as a source of drinking water, however recent research suggests any health fears are largely unfounded - at least for homeowners outside the metropolitan areas.

Griffith Health Honours student Alysha Wilson has tested water samples from 24 southeast Queensland homes which rely on rainwater tanks for their drinking water rather than reticulated town water.

Samples, taken both directly from the tank and from taps inside the home, were tested for inorganic contaminants at the Australian Rivers Institute laboratories.

She found copper was a common contaminant, however more importantly, a couple of the samples contained lead levels above the recommended guidelines.

"The cause of the high copper levels may be attributable to the fact rainwater is naturally acidic and can corrode copper piping. However the copper levels are unlikely to cause health effects, but can cause blue-green staining to water and bathroom ware."

She said the lead levels may also be caused by solder used in copper piping or as a result of lead flashing on the roofs.

"While the rainwater in the tank may not have high levels of contaminants, it's of interest that the water supplied into the house through the plumbing system may have higher levels."

Alysha recently presented her results at the Public Health Association of Australia Queensland state conference where she won an award for the best oral presentation by an Honours level student.

Alysha graduated last year with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and has been working part-time as an environmental health officer with the local council.

However she was also keen to try her hand at research - a process she says is very different from studying at an undergraduate level. 

"You have all the control over your choice of topic, study design, time management etc," she said. "While I'd really like to continue in research, I think I need some life and work experience first."

Alysha would like to work in the mining or construction industry where she can get more involved in environmental and sustainability issues such as air quality, noise monitoring and erosion control.