"Indoor Air Pollution:
Detecting Illness, Educating Patients"

Presented by the American College of Preventive Medicine
and the Environmental Protection Agency
 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), research indicates people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Further, people exposed to indoor air for the longest periods of time are often those most susceptible to the effects of pollution (infants and young children, the elderly, and the chronically ill, especially those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease). In the interest of energy efficiency, homes and offices are commonly tightly sealed, further exacerbating the problem, as inadequate ventilation helps sustain indoor air pollution by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute indoor air pollution and by not carrying pollution out of the home. 

Fortunately, there are actions your patients can take to minimize exposure to the harmful gases and particles causing indoor air quality problems. This program will help you recognize symptoms and give you tips on how to advise your patients.


Learning Objectives:

  • After completing this program, you should
    • Be aware of sources of indoor air contamination and the specific dangers they pose
    • Be able to identify patient symptoms possibly related to indoor air pollution, though they are often non-specific and can mimic those of other conditions
    • Be able to educate patients on ways in which to minimize exposure to indoor air pollution

Organization:

  • This program is comprised of slides organized into two parts describing various pollutants and providing information on sources, health effects, and advising patients. Case studies are used to demonstrate how cases of exposure can be detected and treated.
    • Part I is on Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) and Biological Contaminants and
    • Part II explores Combustion Pollutants, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Radon, Lead, and Asbestos
  • Main topics are presented with more detailed notes in separate frames below
  • Key words in the notes are bolded so they can be easily linked to the main topic upon which they elaborate.
  • Resources for more information are provided throughout the program and are summarized under the Resources tab for your use and distribution to patients.

Course Faculty:
Roy DeHart, MD, MPH
Arthur Frank, MD, PhD, FACPM
Sara Mendelsohn, MD, MPH
Rosemary Sokas, MD, MPH
James Wesdock, MD, MPH
Suzanne H. Reuben (Educational Consultant)
Laureen Burton (EPA Content Reviewer)

General Information:

This on-line course takes about 2 hours to complete and requires (1) a computer with an internet connection and (2) either Internet Explorer version 4.0 or later or Netscape Navigator version 4.7 or later. Other browsers may also work, but for best results these browsers are recommended.

The original date of release was September 1, 2001. The course was updated and re-released on May 1, 2007 and will terminate on April 30, 2010.

ACPM WEB PRIVACY STATEMENT

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The American College of Preventive Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 

Disclosure: The course faculty have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.