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Long‐term impact of coal mine fire smoke on lung mechanics in exposed adults
Author(s) -
Holt Nicolette R.,
Gao Caroline X.,
Borg Brigitte M.,
Brown David,
Broder Jonathan C.,
Ikin Jillian,
Makar Annie,
McCrabb Thomas,
Nilsen Kris,
Thompson Bruce R.,
Abramson Michael J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.14102
Subject(s) - medicine , confounding , aerodynamic diameter , respiratory physiology , respiratory system , coal mining , smoke , particulates , environmental health , coal , waste management , engineering , ecology , biology
Background and objective In 2014, a 6‐week‐long fire at the Hazelwood coal mine exposed residents in the adjacent town of Morwell to high concentrations of fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ). The long‐term health consequences are being evaluated as part of the Hazelwood Health Study. Methods Approximately 3.5–4 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 Study. Individual PM 2.5 exposure was retrospectively modelled. Lung mechanics were assessed using the forced oscillation technique (FOT), utilizing pressure waves to measure respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs). Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate associations between PM 2.5 and transformed Rrs at 5 Hz, area under the reactance curve (AX5) and Xrs at 5 Hz controlling for key confounders. Results There were clear dose–response relationships between increasing mine fire PM 2.5 and worsening lung mechanics, including a reduction in post‐bronchodilator (BD) Xrs5 and an increase in AX5. A 10 μg/m 3 increase in mine fire‐related PM 2.5 was associated with a 0.015 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.027) reduction in exponential (Xrs5) post‐BD, which was comparable to 4.7 years of ageing. Similarly, the effect of exposure was associated with a 0.072 (0.005, 0.138) increase in natural log (lnAX5) post‐BD, equivalent to 3.9 years of ageing. Conclusion This is the first study using FOT in adults evaluating long‐term respiratory outcomes after medium‐term ambient PM 2.5 exposure to coal mine fire smoke. These results should inform public health policies and planning for future events.