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

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

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 Early life exposure to coal mine fire smoke emissions and altered lung function in young children

Respirology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyi Shao ◽  
Graeme R. Zosky ◽  
Graham L. Hall ◽  
Amanda J. Wheeler ◽  
Shyamali Dharmage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Mine Fire ◽  
Early Life Exposure ◽  
Fire Smoke ◽  
Coal Mine Fire

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.

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.

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.

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