Asthma and landscape fire smoke: A Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand position statement

Case Report: Effects of Environmental Smoke Exposure on Respiratory Conditions-A Report of an Aboriginal Man Fire Hunting for Mud Turtles in the Top End, Northern Territory of Australia

Environmental smoke has been shown to have significant associations with both causation and exacerbation of respiratory conditions. Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia are disproportionately affected by respiratory illness in comparison with non-Aboriginal Australians. Traditionally, Aboriginal communities have utilized fire for multiple purposes, such as land management practices, cultural ceremonies, hunting, and cooking. In this report, we describe an Aboriginal man who presented with acute exacerbation of airway disease after environmental smoke exposure while being in the close vicinity of "fire hunting" for "mud turtles" from a Top End remote Aboriginal community in the NT of Australia. This report highlights the potential impact of nontobacco environmental smoke exposure contributing to the causation and exacerbation of chronic respiratory conditions among Aboriginal Australians. Hence, further research is warranted to address mitigating strategies in this population.

Respiratory Diseases Associated With Wildfire Exposure in Outdoor Workers

Wildfires, including forest fires, bushfires, and landscape fires, have become increasingly prevalent, fueled by climate change and environmental factors and posing significant challenges to both ecosystems and public health. This review article examines the relationship between wildfires and respiratory diseases in outdoor workers, with a main focus on airway disease. In addition to the expected effects of direct thermal respiratory injuries and possible carbon monoxide poisoning, there are associations between wildfires and upper and lower respiratory effects, including infections as well as exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A few studies have also shown an increased risk of new-onset asthma among wildfire firefighters. Outdoor workers are likely to have greater exposure to wildfire smoke with associated increased risks of adverse effects. As wildfires become increasingly prevalent globally, it is crucial to understand the various dimensions of this association. Furthermore, this review addresses preventive measures and potential interventions to alleviate the airway burden on individuals during and after work with wildfires events.

Contemporary Concise Review 2023: Environmental and occupational lung diseases

Air pollutants have various effects on human health in environmental and occupational settings. Air pollutants can be a risk factor for incidence, exacerbation/aggravation and death due to various lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pneumonia (HP), pulmonary fibrosis such as pneumoconiosis and malignant respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Environmental and occupational respiratory diseases are crucial clinical and social issues worldwide, although the burden of respiratory disease due to environmental and occupational causes varies depending on country/region, demographic variables, geographical location, industrial structure and socioeconomic situation. The correct recognition of environmental and occupational lung diseases and taking appropriate measures are essential to their effective prevention.