Short course training in air pollution control

Abstract

Over 450 air pollution short courses were presented in the U.S. during the three year period from 1977 through 1979. Training in this area, however, is not keeping pace with similar activities in other fields of environmental health. While the number of air pollution courses being presented each year has remained relatively constant, the number of courses in the field of environmental health, overall, has been increasing at an annual rate of about 50%. A major part of this growth is attributable to private sector companies which offered over 50% of the environmental health courses presented during the first half of 1979, up from 16% in 1977. Profiles of air pollution course participants surveyed in this study showed that the majority were mid-career professionals. Their average age was 32 years, almost 95% were males, and 87% had college degrees. Interviews with federal and state agency officials, technical staff personnel in the U.S. Congress, and key industrial leaders reaffirmed the continuing need for short course training as part of the career development of professional air pollution personnel at all levels.