The respiratory health impact of a large urban fire

Social status and susceptibility to wildfire smoke among outdoor-housed female rhesus monkeys: A natural experiment

Introduction

Wildfire smoke (WFS) exposure is a growing threat to human health, and lower socioeconomic position (SEP) has been shown to increase pollution susceptibility. Studies of SEP-related susceptibility, however, are often compromised due to spatial confounding between lower-SEP and pollution. Here we examine outdoor-housed nonhuman primates, living in natural social hierarchy in a common location, born during years of high vs. low WFS, to examine the separate and combined effects of WFS and social rank, an analog to SEP, on lung and immune function.

Methods

Twenty-one females were born during extreme WFS events in summer 2008; 22 were born in summer 2009, during low WFS. Pulmonary function and circulating cytokines were measured three years later, in adolescence. We estimated fine particulate (PM_2.5) and ozone exposures during each animal's first 90 days and three years of age using regulatory data. Early-life social status was estimated using maternal rank at birth, as rank in females is relatively stable throughout life, and closely approximates mother's rank. We tested associations among WFS exposure, rank, and endpoints using linear regression and ANOVA.

Results

Higher WFS exposure in infancy was, on average, associated with lower functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), tissue compliance (Ct), and IL-8 secretion in adolescence. Higher social rank conferred significantly higher expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and functional residual capacity (FRC) solely among those born in the high-WFS year (2008). Differences in effects of rank between years were not significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions

Exposure to WFS in infancy generally conferred lower adolescent respiratory volumes and inflammatory cytokines. Higher rank conferred higher respiratory volumes only among females born during WFS, suggesting the possibility that the health benefits of rank may be more apparent under environmental challenge.

Adverse Health Effects in African American Residents Living Adjacent to Chemical Industries

The objective of the present study was to compare the physical and psychological health of three groups of African Americans (N = 310): acute sulfuric acid exposed, nonacute exposed, and unexposed controls. Instruments included a health questionnaire, a Toxic Symptom Checklist, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Post-Traumatic Stress and the Neurotoxic Anxiety scales of the MMPI-2, the Impact of Event Scale, the Symptom Check List 90-Revised (SCL 90-R), and several brief mood and personality scales. Blood pressure and pulse rates were also taken. Matching produced 51 three-way pairs. MANOVA results indicate significant effects for exposure. Significant univariate Fs (p < .05) were foundfor all the scales across the exposed groups exceptfor the Toxic Symptom category of memory/concentration, POMS depression, and 5 of the 9 SCL 90-R subscales. The t-test results using adjusted a = .0167 indicate both exposed groups had more mood and health symptoms than the controls. The acute were the most symptomatic, and both exposed groups had more respiratory problems, skin rashes, and allergies; results that are consistent with chemical exposure. Results also indicate all three groups had higher than average blood pressure, and the SCL 90-R scores for all three groups were higher than reported in the manual.

Health consequences of forest fires in Indonesia

We combined data from a population-based longitudinal survey with satellite measures of aerosol levels to assess the impact of smoke from forest fires that blanketed the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra in late 1997 on adult health. To account for unobserved differences between haze and nonhaze areas, we compared changes in the health of individual respondents. Between 1993 and 1997, individuals who were exposed to haze experienced greater increases in difficulty with activities of daily living than did their counterparts in nonhaze areas. The results for respiratory and general health, although more complicated to interpret, suggest that haze had a negative impact on these dimensions of health.

The 1997 haze disaster in Indonesia: its air quality and health effects

In this study, the authors assessed air quality and health effects of the 1997 haze disaster in Indonesia. The authors measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter with diameters less than or equal to 10 microm, inorganic ions, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The authors also interviewed 543 people and conducted lung-function tests and determined spirometric values for these individuals. Concentrations of carbon monoxide and particulate matter with diameters less than or equal to 10 microm reached "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" levels, as defined by the Pollution Standards Index. Concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were 6-14 times higher than levels in the unaffected area. More than 90% of the respondents had respiratory symptoms, and elderly individuals suffered a serious deterioration of overall health. In multivariate analysis, the authors determined that gender, history of asthma, and frequency of wearing a mask were associated with severity of respiratory problems. The results of our study demonstrate the need for special care of the elderly and for care of those with a history of asthma. In addition, the use of a proper mask may afford protection.

The potential impacts of climate variability and change on health impacts of extreme weather events in the United States

Extreme weather events such as precipitation extremes and severe storms cause hundreds of deaths and injuries annually in the United States. Climate change may alter the frequency, timing, intensity, and duration of these events. Increases in heavy precipitation have occurred over the past century. Future climate scenarios show likely increases in the frequency of extreme precipitation events, including precipitation during hurricanes, raising the risk of floods. Frequencies of tornadoes and hurricanes cannot reliably be projected. Injury and death are the direct health impacts most often associated with natural disasters. Secondary effects, mediated by changes in ecologic systems and public health infrastructure, also occur. The health impacts of extreme weather events hinge on the vulnerabilities and recovery capacities of the natural environment and the local population. Relevant variables include building codes, warning systems, disaster policies, evacuation plans, and relief efforts. There are many federal, state, and local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in planning for and responding to natural disasters in the United States. Future research on health impacts of extreme weather events should focus on improving climate models to project any trends in regional extreme events and as a result improve public health preparedness and mitigation. Epidemiologic studies of health effects beyond the direct impacts of disaster will provide a more accurate measure of the full health impacts and will assist in planning and resource allocation.

The potential impacts of climate variability and change on health impacts of extreme weather events in the United States

Extreme weather events such as precipitation extremes and severe storms cause hundreds of deaths and injuries annually in the United States. Climate change may alter the frequency, timing, intensity, and duration of these events. Increases in heavy precipitation have occurred over the past century. Future climate scenarios show likely increases in the frequency of extreme precipitation events, including precipitation during hurricanes, raising the risk of floods. Frequencies of tornadoes and hurricanes cannot reliably be projected. Injury and death are the direct health impacts most often associated with natural disasters. Secondary effects, mediated by changes in ecologic systems and public health infrastructure, also occur. The health impacts of extreme weather events hinge on the vulnerabilities and recovery capacities of the natural environment and the local population. Relevant variables include building codes, warning systems, disaster policies, evacuation plans, and relief efforts. There are many federal, state, and local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in planning for and responding to natural disasters in the United States. Future research on health impacts of extreme weather events should focus on improving climate models to project any trends in regional extreme events and as a result improve public health preparedness and mitigation. Epidemiologic studies of health effects beyond the direct impacts of disaster will provide a more accurate measure of the full health impacts and will assist in planning and resource allocation.

Acute effects of bushfires on peak expiratory flow rates in children with wheeze: a time series analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of the January 1994 Sydney bushfire on evening peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) in children with wheeze.

METHODS

Children with a history of wheeze were enrolled in the longitudinal study and completed a daily asthma diary. We obtained daily air pollution, meteorological, pollen and alternaria data. We then used generalised estimating equation techniques to determine associations between the bushfire period and particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) and PEFR.

RESULTS

The maximum daily PM10 level peaked at 210 ug/m3, which was nearly seven times the usual PM10 level for the rest of January and February 1994. There was no significant association between mean PM10 and PEFR (beta-coefficient = -0.009, p = 0.86). Children without bronchial hyper-reactivity had a significant negative association between PEFR and PM10 (beta-coefficient = -0.1029, p = 0.03). The bushfire period was not significant in any of the models.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find an association between the bushfire period or PM10 and evening PEFR, although in a subgroup of children without bronchial hyper-reactivity, a significant negative association was present between PM10 and evening PEFR.

IMPLICATIONS

We conclude that the high levels of particulate pollution caused by the Sydney bushfires did not lead to any clinically significant reductions in PEFR in symptomatic children. Our results have implications for community risk communication during future bushfires.