Course Summary

Expiration Date: 08/08/2029

Indoor air pollution is common, with sources like mold, secondhand smoke, volatile organic compounds, cleaning agents, dust mites, and insects. Exposure is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing and worsening asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, often triggering exacerbations. Children are especially vulnerable due to their higher respiratory rate and developing lungs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends key steps to improve indoor air quality: reducing/removing pollutant sources, increasing ventilation, and using air filtration (like HEPA filters). While evidence is mixed on whether these measures definitively improve health outcomes for those with established airway disease, HEPA filters have shown potential benefits, especially in reducing symptoms for people with chronic lung disease.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Pollution Recognition and Dangers of Exposure
    • Air Quality and Indoor Air Pollution
    • Dust
    • Insects
    • Mold
    • Sensitization to Allergens and Antibody Production
    • Secondhand Smoke
    • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Childhood Lung Development and Asthma
    • Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Asthma
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
    • Indoor and Ambient Outdoor Air Pollution
  • Preventing and Removing Indoor Air Pollution
  • Improving Air Quality: Air Filtration Benefits
    • Asthma
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Summary

Author

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.