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After completion of this course, learners will be able to explain the health and environmental effects of air pollutants. The course is comprised of four modules:

Module 1: Health Effects of Air Pollutants
After completion of this module, learners will be able to explain the health effects of air pollutants. Specifically, learners will be able to:
  • Identify ways that exposures to pollutants may differ and those populations that may be more vulnerable to health effects.
  • Describe some potential effects of air pollutant exposure on the respiratory system.
  • Describe the effects of air pollutant exposure on the cardiovascular system.
  • Identify other possible health effects from exposure to air pollution.
Module 2: Environmental Effects of Air Pollutants After completion of this module, learners will be able to explain the environmental effects of air pollutants. Specifically, learners will be able to:
  • Explain how air pollutants behave and interact in the atmosphere including the formation of ozone, particulate matter, and acid deposition as well as how ozone layer depletion and the greenhouse effect occur.
  • Explain how air pollutants impact aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
  • Explain how haze is formed and how it impacts the visibility of scenic areas.
  • Explain how acid deposition and UVB radiation can damage various materials.
  • Describe some of the ways that climate change is affecting the Earth.
Module 3: Health and Environmental Effects of Criteria Pollutants After completion of this module, learners will be able to explain the health and environmental effects of criteria pollutants. Specifically, learners will be able to:
  • Identify the 6 criteria air pollutants.
  • Explain the formation, the health effects, and the environmental effects of each of the 6 criteria pollutants (ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead, and nitrogen dioxide).
Module 4: Health and Environmental Effects of Air Toxics After completion of this module, learners will be able to explain the health and environmental effects of air toxics. Specifically, learners will be able to:
  • Identify the types of health effects that air toxics can cause.
  • Describe factors that can impact the type and/or severity of health effects.
  • Describe how air toxics can affect the environment.