Taking an Exposure History

This course is part of a series of short courses offered by the American College of Medical Toxicology on contemporary issues in environmental toxicology and environmental health developed by leading authorities in medical toxicology, under the direction of Drs. Michael Kosnett, Charles McKay and Paul Wax.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain why clinicians should be knowledgeable about the exposure history process.
• Identify the possible sources of toxicants from indoor air pollution, in the home and environment.
• Describe the components of an exposure history.
• Identify specific questions asked in the occupational history.
• Identify specific questions asked in the environmental history.
• Evaluate a possible temporal relationship between patient’s symptoms and patient’s home and surrounding environment.
• Recognize resources available that help identify toxicants.

Developed By:

Timur S. Durrani, MD, MPH, MBA
Assistant Medical Director, San Francisco Division
California Poison Control System
Clinical Instructor of Medicine University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Funding for this web-based learning module was made possible (in part) by the cooperative agreement award number 1U61TS000117-05 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.