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 PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 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 PM_2.5 and 1.07 (1.02 to 1.12) per 100 μg/m³ increment in peak PM_2.5. Current wheeze was associated with peak PM_2.5, OR = 1.06 (1.02 to 1.11) and chronic phlegm with mean PM_2.5 OR = 1.10 (1.00 to 1.20). Coal mine PM_2.5 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.

Background: This study assessed the association between coal-mine-fire-related fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and medical-service utilization, following a 6-week coal-mine fire in Australia, in 2014. Areas in the immediate vicinity of the mine experienced hourly mine-fire-related PM2.5 concentrations of up to 3700 μg/m3. Methods: Data on medical-service utilization were collected from the Medicare Benefits Schedule—a national database of payment for medical services. PM2.5 concentrations were modelled using atmospheric chemical transport modelling. Quasi-Poisson interrupted distributed lag time-series analysis examined the association between daily mine-fire-related PM2.5 concentrations and medical-service utilization, including General Practitioner (GP) consultations and respiratory, cardiovascular and mental health services. Confounders included seasonality, long-term trend, day of the week, maximum daily temperature and public holidays. Gender and age stratification were conducted. Results: A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with an increased relative risk of service usage for all long and short GP consultations [11% (95% confidence interval: 7 to 15%)] and respiratory services [22% (4 to 43%)] in both men and women. Sex stratification found an increased relative risk in mental health consultations in men [32% (2 to 72%)] but not women. No associations were found for cardiovascular services in men or women. Conclusions: Coal-mine-fire-related PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased use of medical services for GP consultations and respiratory services in men and women and mental health consultations in men. These findings can inform the development of future public-health-policy responses in the event of major air-pollution episodes.

Rational: In 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 PM _2.5 smoke exposure. Objective: This study examined associations between self-reported respiratory outcomes in adults and mine fire-related PM _2.5 smoke exposure. Participants: Eligible participants were adult residents of Morwell, identified using the Victorian electoral roll. Main outcome measures: Self-reported data were collected as part of the Hazelwood Health Study Adult Survey. Mine fire-related PM _2.5 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 PM _2.5 exposures were estimated for each participant. Data were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: There was some evidence of a dose-response relationship between respiratory outcomes and mine fire PM _2.5 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/m ³ increment in mean PM _2.5 and 1.07 (1.02 to 1.12; 0.004) per 100 μg/m ³ increment in peak PM _2.5 . Current wheeze was associated with peak PM _2.5 , OR=1.06 (1.02 to 1.11; 0.004) and chronic phlegm with mean PM _2.5 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. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the formation of public health policy responses in the event of future major pollution episodes. Key Messages: What is the key question?: Was there an association between mine fire-related PM _2.5 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 PM _2.5 concentrations. Why read on?: There is limited research regarding the health effects of coal mine fire-related PM _2.5 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.