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.

scholarly journals Associations between respiratory health outcomes and coal mine fire PM2.5 smoke exposure: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L Johnson ◽  
Caroline X Gao ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Grant J Williamson ◽  
David Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Respiratory Outcomes

ABSTRACTRationalIn 2014, local wildfires ignited a fire in the Morwell open cut coal mine, in south-eastern Australia, which burned for six weeks. Limited research was available regarding the respiratory health effects of coal mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure.ObjectiveThis study examined associations between self-reported respiratory outcomes in adults and mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure.ParticipantsEligible participants were adult residents of Morwell, identified using the Victorian electoral roll.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported data were collected as part of the Hazelwood Health Study Adult Survey.Mine fire-related PM2.5 concentrations were retrospectively modelled 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.ResultsThere was some evidence of a dose-response relationship between respiratory outcomes and mine fire PM2.5 concentrations. Chronic cough was associated with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 1.13 (95% Confidence Interval 1.03 to 1.23; p-value 0.007) per 10 μg/m3 increment in mean PM2.5 and 1.07 (1.02 to 1.12; 0.004) 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; 0.004) and chronic phlegm with mean PM2.5 OR=1.10 (1.00 to 1.20; 0.052). 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.ConclusionsThese findings contribute to the formation of public health policy responses in the event of future major pollution episodes.Key MessagesWhat is the key question?Was there an association between mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure and self-reported respiratory health outcomes for adult residents of Morwell, approximately 2.5 years after the mine fire?What is the bottom line?There was some evidence of a dose-response relationship between respiratory outcomes and mine fire-related PM2.5 concentrations.Why read on?There is limited research regarding the health effects of coal mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine self-reported respiratory symptoms associated with smoke exposure from a coal mine fire.

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

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

Coal mine fire smoke exposure associated with increased ambulance attendances for cardiac and respiratory conditions in the Latrobe Valley, Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lahn Straney* ◽  
Martine Dennekamp ◽  
Fay Johnston ◽  
Tom O'Dwyer ◽  
Malcolm Sim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

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

Biomass smoke exposure as an occupational risk: cross-sectional study of respiratory health of women working as street cooks in Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olayemi Fehintola Awopeju ◽  
Benoit Nemery ◽  
Olusegun Tope Afolabi ◽  
Katrien Poels ◽  
Jeroen Vanoirbeek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Biomass Smoke ◽  
Biomass Smoke Exposure

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.

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 Markers of Cardiovascular Disease among Adults Exposed to Smoke from the Hazelwood Coal Mine Fire

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1587
Author(s):  
Juliana Betts ◽  
Elizabeth M. Dewar ◽  
Dion Stub ◽  
Caroline X. Gao ◽  
David W. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Little research has examined the effects of high concentration, medium-duration smoke exposure on cardiovascular health. We investigated whether six weeks of exposure to smoke from the 2014 Hazelwood coal mine fire in Victoria (Australia), was associated with long-term clinical or subclinical cardiovascular disease approximately four years later, in adult residents of the towns of Morwell (exposed, n = 336) and Sale (unexposed, n = 162). The primary outcome was serum high sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP). Blood pressure, electrocardiogram, flow mediated dilatation and serum levels of hs-troponin, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and lipids were secondary outcomes. There was no significant difference in weighted median hsCRP levels between exposed and unexposed participants (1.9 mg/L vs. 1.6 mg/L, p = 0.273). Other outcomes were comparable between the groups. hsCRP was associated in a predictable manner with current smoking, obesity and use of lipid-lowering therapy. Four years after a 6-week coal mine fire, this study found no association between smoke exposure and markers of clinical or subclinical cardiovascular disease in exposed adults.

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