About this course: 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.
Who is this class for: The course is an introductory course for anyone interested in knowing more about air pollution and health.
Created by: University of Copenhagen
Taught by: Steffen Loft, Head of Department
Department of Public Health
Taught by: Peter Møller, Professor
Department of Public Health
Taught by: Zorana Jovanovic Andersen, Associate Professor
Department of Public Health
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 3 weeks of study, 2-5 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The air we breathe
The air we breathe is full of particles and gases. Some occur naturally, but many are the result of human activities. This first module will look into what air pollution is, where it comes from and what it does to our lungs and the rest of our body.
4 videos, 4 readings
- 阅读: UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Video: Peter Møller: Sources and Composition of Air Pollution
- 阅读: Want to know more? Air pollution sources
- 讨论提示: Delhi – Sources and Solutions
- Video: Peter Moller: What Happens in the Lungs?
- 阅读: Want to know more? Counseling patients using the Air Quality Health Index
- Video: Peter Moller: What Happens in the Rest of the Body?
- 阅读: Want to know more? Emerging hazards and improved understanding of risk
Graded: Sources and Composition of Air Pollution
Graded: What Happens in the Lungs?
Graded: What Happens in the Rest of the Body?
WEEK 2
Outdoor air pollution
Outdoor air pollution affects all of us – no matter where we are on the Globe. But there are big differences in air pollution levels from one country to another, from rural to urban areas, from city to city, and even from one side of the street to the other. Though all people are affected, some people are more vulnerable to the damaging health effects of air pollution than others. This module will explain about how we can study health effects of exposure to outdoor air pollution in diverse population groups. We will also look at what we can do to fight outdoor pollution – and cope with it.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Zorana J. Andersen: Vulnerable Groups
- Video: Zorana J. Andersen: The Global Burden
- 讨论提示: What is the burden of air pollution in your country?
- Video: Steffen Loft: What Can We Do about Outdoor Air Pollution?
- 阅读: WHO: Urban Health
- 讨论提示: What to do in your city?
Graded: Epidemiological Principles of Air Pollution
Graded: Vulnerable Groups
Graded: The Global Burden
Graded: What Can We Do about Outdoor Air Pollution?
WEEK 3
Indoor air pollution
Most people spend most of their time indoors. The building envelope traps and accumulates pollution from both indoor and outdoor sources. This module will explain about health effects of indoor use of solid fuel as a particularly important source in large parts of the world, as well as of other sources of indoor air pollution. You will also learn about what you can do to improve the air quality in your home.
2 videos, 2 readings
- 阅读: WHO: Indoor Air Pollution
- Video: Steffen Loft: Tight Buildings
- 阅读: EPA: Fundamentals of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
- 讨论提示: What can you do to improve the air quality in your home?
Graded: Solid Fuel in Households
Graded: Tight Buildings
FAQs
How It Works
课程作业
每门课程都像是一本互动的教科书，具有预先录制的视频、测验和项目。
来自同学的帮助
与其他成千上万的学生相联系，对想法进行辩论，讨论课程材料，并寻求帮助来掌握概念。
证书
获得正式认证的作业，并与朋友、同事和雇主分享您的成功。
Creators
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.
Ratings and Reviews
The assignments regard very practical issues and have very insightful questions. A good start point to have a geenral overview or outdoor and indoor air pollution.
basic knowledge,should have included more preventive measures.
Excellent and to the point material. Lecturers are very knowledgeable and understand the concepts very well. The course is designed to teach the basics and also issues related to air pollution which are current and relevant internationally.
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I enjoyed this course, informative and comprehensive!