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.

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.

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

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.

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 AB0875-HPR NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS AND LIPID METABOLISM DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1461.1-1461
Author(s):  
T. Rogatkina ◽  
O. Korolik ◽  
V. Polyakov ◽  
G. Kravtsov ◽  
Y. Polyakova
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Lipid Metabolism Disorders ◽  
Group I

Background:Attention is drawn to the frequent combination of osteoarthritis (OA) with cardiovascular disease. Non-specific inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of OA and atherosclerosis. Limiting the physical activity of patients with OA is an additional important factor aggravating the course of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chronic pain syndrome, causing a neuroendocrine response, is often the cause of the development of complications of atherosclerotic disease. Dyslipidemia is the main cause of atherosclerosis and vascular thrombosis.Objectives:To study variants of lipid metabolism disorders in female and male patients of different age groups with osteoarthritis.Methods:Case histories of 90 patients with OA were analyzed. The average age of patients was 63.27 ± 11.31 years. The average body mass index (BMI) is 39.8 ± 3.2. All patients underwent questionnaires, general clinical and biochemical blood tests with lipid profile determination, anthropometry, bioimpedansometry, and the main metabolic rate assessment using indirect calorimetry in dynamics (at the beginning of the study and after 3 months).Results:Burdened heredity for obesity, arterial hypertension (AH), diabetes mellitus (DM) was revealed. AH was diagnosed in 76 patients (84.4%), type II diabetes in 17 (18.9%), dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in 56 (62.2%). Statins were taken by 43 patients (47.8%) - group I patients, which is associated with low adherence to therapy, group II included patients who did not initially take statins or stopped taking them at least 6 months before inclusion in the study.Against the background of diet therapy and physiotherapy exercises, BMI (R0.99; p <0.05), fat mass (R0.95; p <0.05) significantly decreased, lipid profile normalization was noted: total cholesterol (R0.66; p <0 .05), LDL (R0.69; p <0.05), HDL (R0.95; p <0.05), TG (R0.57; p <0.05), AST decreased (R0.64; p <0.05) and ALT (R0.76; p <0.05) in both groups of patients, regardless of lipid-lowering therapy. A decrease in fat mass correlated with TG levels (R0.51; p <0.05), an increase in skeletal muscle mass (R0.60; p <0.05), lean mass (R0.72; p <0.05), and active cell mass (R0.59; p <0.05). The lipid profile in the I group of patients was significantly better before and at the end of the study. Long-term effects have not been investigated due to the short duration of the study.Conclusion:In patients with OA, a high frequency of concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system, lipid metabolism disorders was found. Non-drug therapy has a positive effect on the lipid profile and the level of transaminases. The decrease in body weight due to loss of fat mass reliably correlates with the level of TG. Timely use of statins contributes to the normalization of the lipid profile, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with OA. It is necessary to study lipid profile disorders in patients with OA with recommendations for lifestyle modification (diet, physical activity), and if necessary, prescribe lipid-correcting therapy.References:[1]E. Simakova, B. Zavodovsky, L. Sivordova [et al]. Prognostic significance of lipid disorders markers determination in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Vestnik Rossijskoj voenno-medicinskoj akademii. 2013. No. 2 (42). P.29-32.[2]Zavodovsky B.V., Sivordova L.E. Prognostic significance value of definition of leptin level determination in osteoarthritis. Siberian Medical Journal (Irkutsk). 2012; 115(8):069-072.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Morwell Coal Mine Fire as a Cascading Disaster: A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s8-s8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dudley McArdle ◽  
Caroline Spencer ◽  
Frank Archer
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mine ◽  
Core Structure ◽  
Disaster Mitigation ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Adequate Model ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

Introduction:Despite the influential Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks, risk remains poorly understood in the emergency preparedness sector. Hazard assessment and risk management are usually considered before events. An alternative view considers risk as a cascade of potential consequences throughout an event. The 2014 fire in the Victorian rural community of Morwell included a three-phased event: a small bush fire, from which embers ignited a persistent fire in a disused open cut brown coal mine fire. The consequent air pollution precipitated a public health emergency in the nearby community of 15,000 people.Aim:To examine this event as a case study to investigate concordance with accepted definitions and key elements of a cascading event.Methods:Selected literature informed a risk cascade definition and model as a framework to examine the key post-event public inquiries available in the public domain.Results:Informed by a Conceptual Framework for a Hazard Evolving into a Disaster (Birnbaum et al., 2015), Wong and colleagues promote a Core Structure of a Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Evaluation Typologies (Wong, 2017). This Core Structure provided an adequate model to examine the sequence of events in the Morwell event. Definitions of cascading effects is more complex (Zuccaro et al., 2018). Our analysis of the Morwell event used the authoritative definition of cascading disasters published by Pescaroli and Alexander (2015). Using this definition, the Morwell event increased in progression over time and generated unexpected secondary events of strong impact. The secondary events could be distinguished from the original source of disaster, and demonstrated failures of physical structures as well as inadequacy of disaster mitigation strategies, while highlighting unresolved vulnerabilities in human society.Discussion:The Morwell coal mine fire of 2014 reflects the key criteria of a cascading disaster and provides understandings to mitigate the consequences of similar events in the future.

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