How to Use This Course

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Introduction
Available Versions
Instructions
Instructional Format
Learning Objectives

Download Printer-Friendly Version [PDF – 546 KB]

Introduction

The goal of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) is to increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to help in evaluation and treating of potentially exposed patients. This CSEM focuses on the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Available Versions

Two versions of the Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons CSEM are available.

The HTML version https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons/cover-page.html provides content through the Internet.
The downloadable PDF version [546 KB] provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.
The HTML version offers interactive exercises and prescriptive feedback to the user.

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Instructions

To make the most effective use of this course.

Take the Initial Check to assess your current knowledge about the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Read the title, learning objectives, text, and key points in each section.
Complete the progress check exercises at the end of each section and check your answers.
Complete and submit your assessment and posttest response online if you wish to obtain continuing education credit. Continuing education certificates can be printed immediately upon completion.

Instructional Format

This course is designed to help you learn efficiently. Topics are clearly labeled so that you can skip sections or quickly scan sections you are already familiar with. This labeling will also allow you to use this training material as a handy reference. To help you identify and absorb important content quickly, each section is structured as follows:

Instructional Format
Section Element	Purpose
Title	Serves as a “focus question” that you should be able to answer after completing the section
Learning Objectives	Describes specific content addressed in each section and focuses your attention on important points
Text	Provides the information you need to answer the focus question(s) and achieve the learning objectives
Key Points	Highlights important issues and helps you review
Progress Check	Enables you to test yourself to determine whether you have mastered the learning objectives
Answers	Provide feedback to ensure you understand the content and can locate information in the text

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Toxicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) CSEM, you will be able to

Learning Objectives
Content Area	Objectives
Overview	explain what PAHs are describe the properties of PAHs identify where PAHs are found
Exposure Pathways	identify routes of exposure to PAHs
Who is at Risk	identify the populations at high risk for exposure to PAHs
Standards and Regulations	describe the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) for PAHs describe the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PAHs in drinking water
Biological Fate	describe the biologic fate of PAHs in the body
Pathogenic Changes	describe how PAHs are believed to induce pathogenic changes
Health Effects	describe health effects associated with PAH exposure
Clinical Assessment	describe typical signs and symptoms of patients with acute PAH exposure describe typical signs and symptoms of patients with chronic PAH exposure describe important elements of the exposure history describe the focus of the physical examination describe tests used to assist in evaluation of patients exposed to PAHs
Treatment and Management	identify strategies for managing patients with chronic PAH exposure
Patient Education and Counseling	describe care advice for the patient exposed to PAHs

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