Change in Lung Function After Exposure to Smoke From a Mine Fire: A Clinical Follow-up

Holt, Nicolette R; Smith, Catherine L.; Gao, Caroline X.; Borg, Brigitte M.; Lane, Tyler; Brown, Dianne; Ikin, Jillian; Makar, Annie; McCrabb, Thomas; Mikayla, M.; Nilsen, K.; Thompson, B.; Abramson, M

doi:10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_meetingabstracts.a4366

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Previous Hazelwood Health Study analyses consistently found long-term increases in respiratory symptoms (29,40,41), as well as medium-term increases in emergency department presentations for respiratory conditions (13,14) and poorer lung function in relation to smoke exposure (42). However, recent analysis suggests that the effects on lung function have attenuated over time (43), possibly indicating recovery. It is also worth noting that in this analysis, we averaged effects in the eight years post-fire; attenuation due to recovery could mask short and medium-term effects.…”

Section: Effects By Condition Typementioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: an interrupted time series study

Lane,

Smith,

Gao

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background In 2014, the Hazelwood coalmine fire in regional Victoria, Australia shrouded nearby communities in smoke for six weeks. Prior investigations identified substantial adverse effects, including increases in the use of health services. In this study, we examined the effects on hospital and ambulance use in the eight years following the fire. Methods Using Victorian hospital (Jan 2009-Jun 2022) and ambulance (Jan 2013-Dec 2021) data, we conducted an interrupted time series of changes to the rate of hospital admissions, emergency presentations, and ambulance attendances. A categorical exposure model compared two locations, most-exposed Morwell and less-exposed Latrobe Valley, to the rest of regional Victoria. A continuous exposure model used spatial estimates of fire-related PM2.5. Analyses were stratified by sex, age group (<65/65+ years), and condition (cardiovascular, respiratory, mental health, injury). Results There were small but significant increases in overall hospital admissions and emergency presentations across all analyses, but little evidence of change in overall ambulance attendances. Effects varied considerably by condition, with the biggest relative increases observed among hospital admissions for mental health conditions and injuries. While cardiovascular-related hospital admissions and emergency presentations increased post-fire, ambulance attendances decreased. Conclusions Our findings suggest the Hazelwood coalmine fire likely increased hospital usage. However, it is unclear whether this was due to the direct effects of smoke exposure on health, or the disruptive socioeconomic and behavioural impacts of an environmental disaster that affected how communities engaged with various health services.

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Section: Effects By Condition Typementioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: an interrupted time series study

Lane,

Smith,

Gao

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: An interrupted time series study

Lane,

Smith,

Gao

et al. 2024

Environmental Research

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Respiratory symptoms after coalmine fire and pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of the Hazelwood Health Study adult cohort

Lane,

Carroll,

Borg

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Extreme but discrete fine particle <2.5μm (PM2.5) exposure is associated with higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. It is unknown whether these effects abate, persist, or worsen over time, nor whether COVID-19 exacerbates PM2.5effects. Methods We analysed longitudinal survey data from a cohort residing near a 2014 coalmine fire in regional Australia. A 2016/2017 survey included n=4,056 participants, of whom n=612 were followed-up in 2022. Items include questions about 7 respiratory symptoms, history of COVID-19, and time-location diaries that were combined with geospatial models of fire-related PM2.5. Associations were examined using logistic and mixed-effects logistic regressions. Results PM2.5exposure predicted higher prevalence of chronic cough and current wheeze 2-3 years post-fire. At the 2022 follow-up, PM2.5exposure was associated with worsening prevalence of chronic cough and possibly current wheeze. While were no detectable interaction effects between PM2.5and COVID-19, participants with a history of COVID-19 exhibited more significant associations between PM2.5exposure and respiratory symptoms. Discussion Short-term but extreme PM2.5may increase the long-term prevalence of chronic cough, while COVID-19 may exacerbate the effect on other respiratory symptoms.

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Change in Lung Function After Exposure to Smoke From a Mine Fire: A Clinical Follow-up

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: an interrupted time series study

Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: an interrupted time series study

Long-term effects of a coalmine fire on hospital and ambulance use: An interrupted time series study

Respiratory symptoms after coalmine fire and pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of the Hazelwood Health Study adult cohort

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