The requirement of one introductory environmental engineering class has now become mandatory in most undergraduate programs in Civil Engineering. We have such a class (ENV 3001) offered at Florida International University. Since the consensus ranking of environmental problem areas on the basis of population cancer risks (U.S. EPA, 1987) lists indoor air quality, pesticide residues on foods, and consumer exposure to chemicals among the top four areas of concern, I have attempted to introduce an understanding of risk assessment and the control of such risks through personal choices in every day matters. In one assignment I require my students to list the household products that they use to control for pests like cockroaches and ants, and then they need to examine the active chemical ingredients of these products including their toxicity, environmental persistence, etc. We discuss the general evolution of pesticide science over the past century and the nature of the health hazards individuals expose themselves to. We also talk about less harmful alternatives that might work to control pests. Since indoor air quality has become an increasingly significant concern as U.S. residents spend most of their lives in indoor environments, we also argue about the merits of turning off the air conditioning systems at home and allowing our houses/apartments to be well aired for at least six months in a year. This offers the added advantage of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions or our carbon footprint. In addition to these more personal choices, the introductory environmental engineering class offers a review of mass and energy concepts, environmental chemistry, looks at water and air quality issues, as well as teaches students about basic municipal water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control and solid and hazardous waste treatment.