Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) 

Asbestos Toxicity
How to Use This Course

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 evaluating and treating potentially exposed patients. This CSEM focuses on asbestos toxicity.

Available Versions

Two versions of the Asbestos Toxicity CSEM are available:

• the HTML version http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/asbestos/ provides content through the Internet;
• the downloadable PDF version provides content in an electronic, printable format, especially for those who may lack adequate Internet service.

Instructions

To make the most effective use of this course, we recommend that you

• take the initial check to assess your current knowledge about asbestos toxicity
• 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 Posttest responses 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:

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 exercises

Enables you to test yourself to determine whether you have mastered the learning objectives

Progress Check answers

Provides feedback to ensure you understand the content and can locate information in the text

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Asbestos Toxicity CSEM, you should be able to:

What Is Asbestos?

• Explain what asbestos is.

Where Is Asbestos Found?

• Identify where asbestos exists in the United States.
• Describe how asbestos is released into the air.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?

• Identify the most important route of exposure to asbestos.

Who Is At Risk of exposure to Asbestos?

• Name the populations most heavily exposed to asbestos.
• Describe who is at risk of domestic exposure to asbestos.

What Are the U.S. Standards for Asbestos Levels?

• Explain the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure level (PEL) for asbestos.
• Explain the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) for asbestos in drinking water.

What Is the Biological Fate of Asbestos?

• Identify where asbestos fibers are most likely to be retained in the body.

How Does Asbestos Induce Pathogenic Changes?

• Describe the three mechanisms by which scientists hypothesize asbestos induces pathogenic changes in the lungs.

What Respiratory Conditions Are Associated with Asbestos?

• Describe the four respiratory diseases associated with asbestos.

What other health conditions can be associated with Asbestos?

• Identify nonrespiratory conditions that might be associated with exposure to asbestos.

How Should Patients Exposed to Asbestos Be Evaluated?

• Identify the primary focuses of the exposure history and medical history.
• Describe the most typical findings on patient examination.

What tests can assist with diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases?

• Describe pulmonary function test findings associated with parenchymal asbestosis.
• Describe chest radiograph findings associated with other asbestos associated diseases.

How Should Patients Exposed to Asbestos Be Managed and Treated?

• Identify two primary strategies for managing asbestos-associated diseases.
• Describe specific strategies for managing parenchymal asbestosis.

What Instructions Should Be Given to Patients?

• List four instructions for patient self care and two instructions for clinical follow up.