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Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health

Approx. 12 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the negative effects of air pollution on human health, and provides the necessary knowledge and tools to understand and mitigate these effects.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the sources and types of air pollution, and how they affect human health
Understand the scientific basis for air quality regulations and policies
Explore the latest research on the health effects of air pollution

Learning Outcomes

Understand the sources and types of air pollution
Analyze the health effects of air pollution
Evaluate the effectiveness of air quality regulations and policies

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of environmental science
Access to a computer and internet

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Notable People in This Field

President and CEO, National Resources Defense Council
Director, Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Description

We all have to breathe to live. But the air we breathe is polluted both outdoors and indoors. Each year, this pollution costs 7 million lives across the globe – and a lot of suffering. 1 in 8 deaths is due to air pollution. This course will provide you with an introduction to the most recent research in the field of health effects of air pollution as well as a broader understanding of sources and spread of air pollution and what we should do about it.

What is air pollution? What are the sources? How and where are we exposed outdoors and indoors? What happens in the body? Which diseases are the result? Who are the most vulnerable? How can we assess the effects of air pollution? And what should we do to reach the Sustainable Development Goal to “substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution”? These are some of the important questions we will address in the course. During the course you will meet researchers and experts from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. They work with different aspects of air pollution and health: toxicology, exposure assessment, epidemiology, engineering and health impact assessment. It is a global responsibility to combat the health impacts of air pollution, and this fight can only be won through new knowledge and global collaboration. We hope you will join us in the course and equip yourself to take part in this global and individual health challenge.

Outline

The air we breathe
Steffen Loft: Introduction
Peter Møller: Sources and Composition of Air Pollution
Peter Moller: What Happens in the Lungs?
Peter Moller: What Happens in the Rest of the Body?
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Want to know more? Air pollution sources
Want to know more? Counseling patients using the Air Quality Health Index
Want to know more? Emerging hazards and improved understanding of risk
Sources and Composition of Air Pollution
What Happens in the Lungs?
What Happens in the Rest of the Body?

Outdoor air pollution
Zorana J. Andersen: Epidemiological Principles of Air Pollution
Zorana J. Andersen: Vulnerable Groups
Zorana J. Andersen: The Global Burden
Steffen Loft: What Can We Do about Outdoor Air Pollution?
WHO: Urban Health
Epidemiological Principles of Air Pollution
Vulnerable Groups
The Global Burden
What Can We Do about Outdoor Air Pollution?

Indoor air pollution
Steffen Loft: Solid Fuel in Households
Steffen Loft: Tight Buildings
WHO: Indoor Air Pollution
EPA: Fundamentals of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
Solid Fuel in Households
Tight Buildings

Summary of User Reviews

This course on air pollution and its impact on health has received positive reviews from users. Many users have appreciated the course for its in-depth information on the topic and practical examples. Overall, users have found the course to be informative and well-structured.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course provides in-depth information on air pollution and its impact on health, and practical examples.

Pros from User Reviews

Informative course material
Well-structured content
Engaging and interactive lectures
Great practical examples
Expert instructors

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too basic
The course could have included more case studies
The technical jargon used in some lectures can be overwhelming for beginners
The course could have been more hands-on
Some users found the course to be too lengthy

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