What will you learn in Chemicals and Health Course
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Understand how chemicals in our environment and everyday products enter our bodies and influence our health.
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Learn the basics of toxicology—how chemicals behave in the body and how they may impact your well-being.
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Explore biomonitoring: find out how health professionals track chemical exposure in humans using lab methods.
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Learn ways we assess the health risks of chemicals and use that knowledge to shape public health policy.
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Dive into real-world scenarios through case studies—like tobacco smoke, arsenic in food, drinking water safety, and worker exposure in nanotechnology.
Program Overview
Module 1: Welcome & Introduction
⌛ 2 hours
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Topics: Course overview. What chemicals are and how we’re exposed. Chemical production and regulation.
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Hands-on: Peer assessment to gauge your starting understanding. Watch videos and review readings.
Module 2: Toxicology — What do chemicals do in our bodies?
⌛ 1 hour
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Topics: Mechanisms of toxicology, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics.
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Hands-on: Take the quiz covering content from Modules 1 and 2.
Module 3: Biomonitoring — How do we measure chemicals in our bodies and why?
⌛ 47 minutes
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Topics: CDC’s biomonitoring efforts and local laboratory data on chemical exposure.
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Hands-on: Watch videos and participate in a discussion prompt.
Module 4: Health Effects of Chemicals — How do we figure out their impact?
⌛ 1 hour
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Topics: How scientists assess health effects. The role of risk assessment in decision-making.
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Hands-on: Watch lectures and complete a quiz on Modules 3 and 4.
Module 5: Chemicals Policy — What do we do about chemicals & health?
⌛ 2 hours
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Topics: Evolution of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Air quality regulations.
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Hands-on: Peer-reviewed writing assignment to reflect on chemical policy.
Module 6: Case Studies
⌛ 1 hour
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Topics: Real-world examples—tobacco smoke, arsenic in food, water safety, nanotechnology, worker health. Course wrap-up.
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Hands-on: Watch engaging case study videos and complete the course.
Get certificate
Job Outlook
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Ideal for those entering public health, environmental health, or health policy fields, with a focus on chemical exposure and risk management.
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Useful for early-career toxicologists, chemists, or forensic scientists who want a stronger understanding of how chemicals affect health.
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Helpful for professionals involved in policy-making, community health programs, or health regulation.
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