scholarly journals Long term impact of coal mine fire smoke on lung mechanics in exposed adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolette R Holt ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
Brigitte M Borg ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Jonathan C Broder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Lung Mechanics ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Forced Oscillation Technique ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Long Term Impact

AbstractIn 2014, a six-week long fire at the Hazelwood open cut coal mine exposed residents in the adjacent town of Morwell to high concentrations of fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5μm (PM2.5). The long-term health consequences are being evaluated as part of the Hazelwood Health Study (HHS).Approximately 3.5 to 4 years after the mine fire, adults from Morwell (n=346) and the comparison town Sale (n=173) participated in the longitudinal Respiratory Stream of the HHS. Individual fire-related PM2.5 exposure was retrospectively modelled. Lung mechanics were assessed using the forced oscillation technique (FOT), which utilises pressure waves to measure respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs). Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate associations between PM2.5 and transformed Rrs5, area under the reactance curve (AX5) and Xrs5 controlling for key confounding factors.There were clear dose-response relationships between increasing mine fire PM2.5 and worsening lung mechanics, including a reduction in post-bronchodilator Xrs5 and an increase in AX5. A 10 μg/m3 increase in mine fire related PM2.5 was associated with a 0.015 (95%CI: 0.004, 0.027) reduction in exponential(Xrs5) post bronchodilator, which was comparable to 4.7 years of aging. Similarly, the effect of exposure was associated with a 0.072 (0.005, 0.138) increase in natural log(AX5) post-bronchodilator, equivalent to 3.9 years of aging.This is the first study using FOT in adults evaluating long term respiratory outcomes after a medium-term ambient PM2.5 exposure to coal mine fire smoke. These results should inform public health policies and planning for future events.

scholarly journals Long‐term impact of coal mine fire smoke on lung mechanics in exposed adults

Respirology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolette R. Holt ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
Brigitte M. Borg ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Jonathan C. Broder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Lung Mechanics ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Long Term Impact

Is asthma associated with exposure to smoke from a coal mine fire?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Taylor ◽  
B Borg ◽  
C Gao ◽  
D Brown ◽  
R Hoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Asthma Symptoms ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Long Term Impact

AbstractIn 2014, a fire at the Hazelwood open cut coal mine (Victoria, Australia) burned for about 6 weeks. Residents of the adjacent town of Morwell were exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during this period. Three and a half years after the event, this study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of short-term exposure to coal mine fire smoke on asthma.A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken on a group of exposed participants with asthma from Morwell (n=165) and a group of unexposed participants with asthma from the control town of Sale (n=64). Town exposure status was determined by modelled PM2.5data for the mine fire period. Respiratory symptoms were assessed with a validated respiratory health questionnaire and symptom severity score. Asthma control was assessed with an asthma control questionnaire. Lung function testing included spirometry, bronchodilator response, and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide.There was no evidence that exposed Morwell participants had more severe asthma symptoms, worse lung function, or more eosinophilic airway inflammation compared to unexposed Sale participants. However there was some evidence that Morwell participants had more uncontrolled than well-controlled asthma, compared to the participants from Sale (adjusted relative risk ratio 2.71 95%CI: 1.02, 7.21, p=0.046).Three and a half years after exposure, coal mine fire smoke does not appear to be associated with more severe asthma symptoms or worse lung function, but may be associated with poorer asthma control.Summary take home messageIn people with asthma, short-term coal mine fire smoke exposure does not appear to have long-term impact on severity of asthma symptoms, lung function or eosinophilic airway inflammation, but may affect asthma control.

Altered lung mechanics after coal mine fire smoke exposure in adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolette Holt ◽  
Caroline Gao ◽  
Brigitte Borg ◽  
Kris Nilsen ◽  
David Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Lung Mechanics ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Fine particulate matter exposure and medication dispensing during and after a coal mine fire: A time series analysis from the Hazelwood Health Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 246 ◽  
pp. 1027-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Johnson ◽  
Joanna F. Dipnall ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Grant J. Williamson ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Time Series Analysis ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Particulate Matter Exposure

scholarly journals Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Thomas O’Dwyer ◽  
Michael J. Abramson ◽  
Lahn Straney ◽  
Farhad Salimi ◽  
Fay Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Prescribed Burns ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Many Australians are intermittently exposed to landscape fire smoke from wildfires or planned (prescribed) burns. This study aimed to investigate effects of outdoor smoke from planned burns, wildfires and a coal mine fire by assessing biomarkers of inflammation in an exposed and predominantly older population. Participants were recruited from three communities in south-eastern Australia. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were continuously measured within these communities, with participants performing a range of health measures during and without a smoke event. Changes in biomarkers were examined in response to PM2.5 concentrations from outdoor smoke. Increased levels of FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) (β = 0.500 [95%CI 0.192 to 0.808] p < 0.001) at a 4 h lag were associated with a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels from outdoor smoke, with effects also shown for wildfire smoke at 4, 12, 24 and 48-h lag periods and coal mine fire smoke at a 4 h lag. Total white cell (β = −0.088 [−0.171 to −0.006] p = 0.036) and neutrophil counts (β = −0.077 [−0.144 to −0.010] p = 0.024) declined in response to a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5. However, exposure to outdoor smoke resulting from wildfires, planned burns and a coal mine fire was not found to affect other blood biomarkers.

The association of coal mine fire smoke with hospital emergency presentations and admissions: Time series analysis of Hazelwood Health Study

Chemosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 126667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuming Guo ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Christina Dimitriadis ◽  
Lahn Straney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Time Series Analysis ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Series Analysis ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

scholarly journals Impacts of High Concentration, Medium Duration Coal Mine Fire Related PM2.5 on Cancer Incidence: 5-Year Follow-Up of the Hazelwood Health Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117863022110597
Author(s):  
Pei Yu ◽  
Yuming Guo ◽  
Caroline X Gao ◽  
Christina Dimitriadis ◽  
Jillian F Ikin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Health Study ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Exposed Population ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

No studies have investigated the cancer outcomes from high level medium duration coal mine fire fine particulate matter ⩽2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) exposure. We included 2208 Morwell residents (exposed) and 646 Sale residents (unexposed) who participated in the Hazelwood Health Study Adult Survey. Competing risk regression models were used to evaluate relationships between coal mine fire exposure and cancer incidence, adjusting for known confounders. There were 137 cancers in the exposed and 27 in the unexposed over 14 849 person-years of follow-up. A higher risk of cancer incidence was observed for Morwell participants (HR = 1.67 [95% CI 1.05-2.67]), but no evidence to suggest associations between PM2.5 exposure and incidence of all cancers (HR = 1.02 [95% CI 0.91-1.13]), or site-specific cancers. There is no strong evidence that exposure to high concentrations of mine fire-related PM2.5 over a prolonged period could explain the higher risk in exposed population in this study.

The impact of the Hazelwood coal mine fire smoke exposure on asthma

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Sasha Taylor ◽  
Brigitte Borg ◽  
Caroline Gao ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Ryan Hoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Associations between Respiratory Health Outcomes and Coal Mine Fire PM2.5 Smoke Exposure: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Johnson ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Grant J. Williamson ◽  
David Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Respiratory Outcomes

In 2014, wildfires ignited a fire in the Morwell open cut coal mine, Australia, which burned for six weeks. This study examined associations between self-reported respiratory outcomes in adults and mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure. Self-reported data were collected as part of the Hazelwood Health Study Adult Survey. Eligible participants were adult residents of Morwell. Mine fire-related PM2.5 concentrations were provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Oceans & Atmosphere Flagship. Personalised mean 24-h and peak 12-h mine fire-related PM2.5 exposures were estimated for each participant. Data were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. There was some evidence of an association between respiratory outcomes and mine fire PM2.5 exposure. Chronic cough was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.23) per 10 μg/m3 increment in mean PM2.5 and 1.07 (1.02 to 1.12) per 100 μg/m3 increment in peak PM2.5. Current wheeze was associated with peak PM2.5, OR = 1.06 (1.02 to 1.11) and chronic phlegm with mean PM2.5 OR = 1.10 (1.00 to 1.20). Coal mine PM2.5 smoke exposure was associated with increased odds of experiencing cough, phlegm and wheeze. Males, participants 18–64 years, and those residing in homes constructed from non-brick/concrete materials or homes with tin/metal roofs had higher estimated ORs. These findings contribute to the formation of public health policy responses.

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