scholarly journals 68Maternal exposure to PM2.5 from a severe smoke event and birth outcomes in Victoria, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Melody ◽  
Karen Wills ◽  
Jane Ford ◽  
Alison Venn ◽  
Fay Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Abstract Background The 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire was an unprecedented six-week severe smoke event in the Latrobe Valley, southeastern Australia. We aimed to determine whether maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) attributable to the event was associated with adverse fetal growth or maturity, including birthweight, small for gestational age, term low birthweight or preterm birth. Methods A cohort of babies born within the affected region was defined used administrative perinatal data. Maternal average and peak PM2.5 was assigned to residential address at time of delivery using a chemical transport model. Maternal, infant, meteorological and temporal variables were included in final linear and log-binomial regression models. Results 3,591 singleton livebirths were included; 763 were exposed in utero. Average PM2.5 exposure was 4.4 µg/m3 (IQR 2.1 µg/m3); average peak was 45.0 µg/m3 (IQR 35.1 µg/m3). No association between PM2.5 and fetal growth or maturity was observed. Gestational diabetes mellitus was an effect modifier in the relationship; babies of exposed gestational diabetic mothers were 97 grams heavier per 10 µg/m3 increase in average PM2.5 exposure (95%CI 74, 120 grams), compared to mothers without gestational diabetes. Conclusions Maternal PM2.5 exposure from a smoke event was not associated with adverse fetal growth or maturity. There was a trophic response amongst babies of mothers with gestational diabetes. Key messages Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may be more susceptible to the effects of smoke events on birthweight.

scholarly journals 67Maternal Exposure to PM2.5 from a Coal Mine Fire is Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Melody ◽  
Karen Wills ◽  
Jane Ford ◽  
Alison Venn ◽  
Fay Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Abnormal Placentation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Abstract Background In 2014, the Hazelwood coal mine fire was an unprecedented six-week severe smoke event in the Latrobe Valley, southeastern Australia. We aimed to determine whether maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) attributable to coal mine fire smoke was associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and abnormal placentation. Methods We defined a cohort of all births >20 weeks in the Latrobe Valley from 1 March 2012 - 31 Dec 2015 utilising administrative perinatal data. Average and peak PM2.5 was assigned to residential address at delivery using a chemical transport model. Maternal, meteorological and temporal variables were included in final log-binomial regression models. Results 3,612 singleton pregnancies were included; 766 were exposed to the smoke event. Average maternal PM2.5 exposure was 4.4 µg/m3 (IQR 2.1). Average peak PM2.5 exposure was 44.9 µg/m3 (IQR 35.0). An interquartile range increase in average and peak PM2.5 was associated with a 7% and 16% increased likelihood of GDM respectively (Average PM2.5 95%CI 1.03, 1.10; <0.0001; Peak PM2.5 95%CI 1.09, 1.22; <0.0001). No association for hypertensive disorders or abnormal placentation was observed. Conclusions This is the first study to examine obstetric complications relating to a discrete smoke event. These findings may guide the public health response to future similar events. Key messages Exposure to a smoke event was associated with an increased risk of GDM. The public health implications may be substantial with a changing climate.

scholarly journals Response of fine particulate matter concentrations to changes of emissions and temperature in Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 8771-8822 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Megaritis ◽  
C. Fountoukis ◽  
P. E. Charalampidis ◽  
C. Pilinis ◽  
S. N. Pandis
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
The Balkans

Abstract. PMCAMx-2008, a three dimensional chemical transport model (CTM), was applied in Europe to quantify the changes in fine particle (PM2.5) concentration in response to different emission reductions as well as to temperature increase. A summer and a winter simulation period were used, to investigate the seasonal dependence of the PM2.5 response to 50% reductions of SO2, NH3, NOx, anthropogenic VOCs and anthropogenic OA emissions and also to temperature increases of 2.5 and 5 K. Reduction of NH3 emissions seems to be the most effective control strategy for reducing PM2.5, in both periods, resulting in a decrease of PM2.5 up to 5.1 μg m−3 and 1.8 μg m−3 (5.5% and 4% on average) during summer and winter respectively, mainly due to reduction of NH4NO3 (20% on average in both periods). The reduction of SO2 emissions decreases PM2.5 in both periods having a significant effect over the Balkans (up to 1.6 μg m−3) during summer, mainly due to decrease of sulfate (30% on average over the Balkans). The anthropogenic OA control strategy reduces total OA by 15% during winter and 8% in the summer. The reduction of total OA is higher in urban areas close to its emissions sources. A slight decrease of OA (8% in summer and 4% in winter) is also predicted after a 50% reduction of VOCs emissions due to the decrease of anthropogenic SOA. The reduction of NOx emissions reduces PM2.5 (up to 3.4 μg m−3) during the summer, due a decrease of NH4NO3, causing although an increase of ozone concentration in major urban areas and over Western Europe. Additionally, the NOx control strategy actually increases PM2.5 levels during the winter. The increase of temperature results in a decrease of PM2.5 in both periods over Central Europe, mainly due to a decrease of NH4NO3 during summer (18%) and fresh POA during winter (35%). Significant increases of OA are usually predicted during summer due mainly to the increase of biogenic VOC emissions. On the contrary, OA is predicted to decrease in the winter due to the dominance of fresh POA reduction and the small biogenic SOA contribution to OA. The resulting increase of oxidant levels from the temperature rise lead to an increase of sulfate levels in both periods, mainly over North Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. The substantial reduction of PM2.5 components due to emissions reductions of their precursors in conjunction with significant changes of PM after increasing the temperature indicate that both emissions and temperature need to be of significant concern for improving air quality.

Comparing Wildfire GOES-based Stereo-Plume Heights, Winds, and Aerosol Property from 3D-Wind and MAGARA Algorithms to CMAQ simulations: A 2018 Camp Fire Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariel Friberg ◽  
Yufei Zou ◽  
James Limbacher ◽  
Dong Wu ◽  
James Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transport Model ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Geostationary Satellite ◽  
Plume Dispersion ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Fire Event ◽  
Dispersion Patterns ◽  
Novel Algorithms ◽  
Improved Accuracy

<p><strong>Science Question:</strong>  How can we use two new geostationary satellite-based algorithms to constrain wildfire plume modeling simulations?</p><p><strong>Method:</strong>  Our approach is twofold. Combining NASA’s legacy MODIS products with the GOES Advanced Baseline Imager imagery, the state-of-the-art 3D-Wind algorithm, we first compare satellite-based detected wildfire plume injection heights with CMAQ, a chemical transport model. The validated GOES-MODIS 3D-Wind algorithm provides plume dynamics data with < 200 m vertical resolution for plume height and < 0.5 m/s for plume speed. Secondly, we compare aerosol type observations from the novel Multi-Angle Geostationary Aerosol Research Algorithm (MAGARA) to constrain modeled smoke hotspots and dispersion patterns of aerosols. Consistently modeled meteorology and extensive satellite coverage combine to produce more accurate plume injection heights and dispersion patterns, especially in areas where ground measurements are limited or absent. We compare the results of the two novel algorithms, 3D-Wind and MAGARA, to the 2018 Camp Fire event CMAQ runs. </p><p><strong>Impact:</strong>  Geostationary satellite wildfire plume-attribute products provide spatiotemporal context and can decrease errors in plume characterization. </p><p><strong>Why It Matters:</strong>  According to the EPA, wildland fires contributed approximately 30 percent of directly emitted fine particulate matter, linked to premature death from heart and lung disease. By capturing the dynamic wildfire plume dispersion, height, and winds, we can determine if fire plumes stay within or shoot above the planetary boundary layer and constrain modeling results. Improved accuracy, coverage, and characterization of plume injection height data increase the effectiveness of management methods that reduce and estimate smoke exposure.</p>

scholarly journals An exploration of the trajectory of psychological distress associated with exposure to smoke during the 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Carroll ◽  
Timothy Colin Heath Campbell ◽  
Catherine L Smith ◽  
Caroline Xiaolei Gao ◽  
Darryl Maybery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Posttraumatic Distress ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure ◽  
The Impact

Due to climate change, catastrophic events such as landscape fires are increasing in frequency and severity. However, relatively little is known about the longer-term mental health outcomes of such events. Follow-up was conducted of 709 adults exposed to smoke from the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire in Morwell, Victoria, Australia. Participants completed two surveys evaluating posttraumatic distress, measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), three and six years after the mine fire. Mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in distress. IES-R total scores increased on average by 2.6 points (95%CI: 1.2 to 3.9 points) between the two survey rounds, with increases across all three posttraumatic distress symptom clusters, particularly intrusive symptoms. This increase in distress was evident across all levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure to the mine fire smoke. Age was an effect modifier between mine fire PM2.5 exposure and posttraumatic distress, with younger adults impacted more by exposure to the mine fire. Greater exposure to PM2.5 from the mine fire was still associated with increased psychological distress some six years later, with the overall level of distress increasing between the two survey rounds. The follow-up survey coincided with the Black Summer bushfire season in south-eastern Australia and exposure to this new smoke event may have triggered distress sensitivities stemming from exposure to the earlier mine fire. Public health responses to disaster events should take into consideration prior exposures and vulnerable groups, particularly younger adults.

Fine Particulate Matter and Medications Dispensed during and after a Brown Coal Mine Fire: A Time Series Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Johnson ◽  
Joanna Dipnall ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Grant Williamson ◽  
Caroline Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Time Series Analysis ◽  
Brown Coal ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Series Analysis ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

scholarly journals Maternal exposure to fine particulate matter from a coal mine fire and birth outcomes in Victoria, Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Melody ◽  
Jane Ford ◽  
Karen Wills ◽  
Alison Venn ◽  
Fay H. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

scholarly journals Modeling Ozone Source Apportionment and Performing Sensitivity Analysis in Summer on the North China Plain

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 992
Author(s):  
Yujing Zhang ◽  
Yuncheng Zhao ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Qizhong Wu ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Source Apportionment ◽  
North China Plain ◽  
North China ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Hebei Province ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
The North ◽  
The North China Plain

In recent years, air quality issues due to fine particulate matter have been sufficiently treated. However, ozone (O3) has now become the primary pollutant in summer on the North China Plain (NCP). In this study, a three-dimensional chemical transport model (the Nested Air Quality Prediction Model System, NAQPMS) coupled with an online source apportionment module was applied to investigate the sources of O3 pollution over the NCP. Generally, the NAQPMS adequately captured the observed spatiotemporal features of O3 during the period of July 1st to August 31st in 2017 on the NCP. The results of the source apportionment indicated that the contributions of local emissions and transport from the NCP accounted for the largest proportion of O3, with magnitudes of 25% and 39%, respectively. Compared with those in the average monthly results, the local contribution and regional transport during O3 episodes on the NCP increased by 7% and 10%, respectively. Based on sensitivity tests, two thresholds of the sensitivity indicator P(H2O2)/P(HNO3) were detected, at 0.08 and 0.2. Ozone formation in the urban sites of Beijing, Tianjin, and the southern part of Hebei Province was controlled by VOCs, while the other sites were mainly controlled by NOX. Biogenic emissions contributed approximately 18% to O3 formation in July in the southwestern part of Hebei Province.

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