Cover Page

• Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.
• Over the past decade, the prevalence of asthma in children and adults has increased in the United States.
• Environmental exposures to allergens, air pollutants, and environmental tobacco smoke, and workplace exposures can cause and exacerbate asthma.
• Control of environmental exposures can significantly improve the quality of life of persons with asthma.

This educational case study document is one in a series of self-instructional modules designed to increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to promote the adoption of medical practices that aid in the evaluation and care of potentially exposed patients. The complete series of Case Studies in Environmental Medicine is located on the ATSDR Web site at URL: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.html.

In addition, the downloadable PDF version [PDF – 495 KB] of this educational series and other environmental medicine materials provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of the medical writers, editors, and reviewers in producing this educational resource. Contributors to this version of the Case Study in Environmental Medicine are listed below.

Please Note: Each content expert for this case study has indicated that there is no conflict of interest that would bias the case study content.

CDC/ATSDR Author(s): Germania A. Pinheiro, MD, MSc, PhD

CDC/ATSDR Planners: Charlton Coles, Ph.D., Sharon L. Hall, Ph.D.; Delene Roberts, MSMHC; Smith, Julia, MPH, CHES, Germania A. Pinheiro, MD, MSc, PhD

Peer Reviewers: Dan Middleton, MD; Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch/National Center for Environmental Health

For more information about continuing medical education credits, continuing nursing education credits, and other continuing education units as well as access to the Assessment and Posttest, please visit https://tceols.cdc.gov.

For additional information about Environmental Medicine Education Products, please visit https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/health_professionals/index.html.

Disclaimer

The state of knowledge regarding the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In developing its educational products, ATSDR has made a diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and the currency of the presented information. ATSDR, however, makes no claim that the environmental medicine and health education resources discussed in these products comprehensively address all possible situations related to various substances. The products are intended for educational use to build the knowledge of physicians and other health professionals in assessing the conditions and managing the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances. The products are not a substitute for a health-care provider’s professional judgment. Please interpret the environmental medicine and the health education resources in light of specific information regarding the patient and in conjunction with other medical authorities.

Use of trade names in ATSDR products is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Disclosure

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all presenters must disclose any financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or product(s) under investigational use. CDC, our planners, and the presenters for this seminar do not have financial or other associations with the manufacturers of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services, or commercial supporters. This presentation does not involve the unlabeled use of a product or product under investigational use. There was no commercial support for this activity.