The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in central Appalachia, 1996-2003

Birth defects are examined in mountaintop coal mining areas compared to other coal mining areas and non-mining areas of central Appalachia. The study hypothesis is that higher birth-defect rates are present in mountaintop mining areas. National Center for Health Statistics natality files were used to analyze 1996–2003 live births in four Central Appalachian states (N=1,889,071). Poisson regression models that control for covariates compare birth defect prevalence rates associated with maternal residence in county mining type: mountaintop mining areas, other mining areas, or non-mining areas. The prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for any birth defect was significantly higher in mountaintop mining areas compared to non-mining areas (PRR=1.26, 95% CI=1.21, 1.32), after controlling for covariates. Rates were significantly higher in mountaintop mining areas for six of seven types of defects: circulatory/respiratory, central nervous system, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and ‘other’. There was evidence that mountaintop mining effects became more pronounced in the latter years (2000–2003) versus earlier years (1996–1999.) Spatial correlation between mountaintop mining and birth defects was also present, suggesting effects of mountaintop mining in a focal county on birth defects in neighboring counties. Elevated birth defect rates are partly a function of socioeconomic disadvantage, but remain elevated after controlling for those risks. Both socioeconomic and environmental influences in mountaintop mining areas may be contributing factors.     

Chronic cardiovascular disease mortality in mountaintop mining areas of central Appalachian states

Purpose: To determine if chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates are higher among residents of mountaintop mining (MTM) areas compared to mining and nonmining areas, and to examine the association between greater levels of MTM surface mining and CVD mortality. Methods: Age‐adjusted chronic CVD mortality rates from 1999 to 2006 for counties in 4 Appalachian states where MTM occurs (N = 404) were linked with county coal mining data. Three groups of counties were compared: MTM, coal mining but not MTM, and nonmining. Covariates included smoking rate, rural‐urban status, percent male population, primary care physician supply, obesity rate, diabetes rate, poverty rate, race/ethnicity rates, high school and college education rates, and Appalachian county. Linear regression analyses examined the association of mortality rates with mining in MTM areas and non‐MTM areas and the association of mortality with quantity of surface coal mined in MTM areas. Findings: Prior to covariate adjustment, chronic CVD mortality rates were significantly higher in both mining areas compared to nonmining areas and significantly highest in MTM areas. After adjustment, mortality rates in MTM areas remained significantly higher and increased as a function of greater levels of surface mining. Higher obesity and poverty rates and lower college education rates also significantly predicted CVD mortality overall and in rural counties. Conclusions: MTM activity is significantly associated with elevated chronic CVD mortality rates. Future research is necessary to examine the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of MTM on health to reduce health disparities in rural coal mining areas.     

An examination of the effects of mountaintop removal coal mining on respiratory symptoms and COPD using propensity scores

Previous research on public health consequences of mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining has been limited by the observational nature of the data. The current study used propensity scores, a method designed to overcome this limitation, to draw more confident causal inferences about mining effects on respiratory health using non-experimental data. These data come from a health survey of 682 adults residing in two rural areas of Virginia, USA characterized by the presence or absence of MTR mining. Persons with a history of occupational exposure as coal miners were excluded. Nine covariates including age, sex, current and former smoking, overweight, obesity, high school education, college education, and exposure to coal as a home-heating source were selected to estimate propensity scores. Propensity scores were tested for balance and then used as weights to create quasi-experimental exposed and unexposed groups. Results indicated that persons in the mountaintop mining group had significantly (p?相似文献   

2004-2005年中国居民呼吸系统疾病死亡水平及构成

目的 分析2004-2005年我国居民的呼吸系统疾病死亡水平及构成.方法 呼吸系统疾病死亡及人口资料均来自2004-2005年全国第3次死因回顾抽样调查中的样本地区资料,即全国疾病监测系统的160个监测点,调查人年数为142 660 482.根据死亡个案及人口资料计算年龄别、性别、疾病别粗死亡率.计算标化死亡率时以2000年人口普查数据作为标准人口.结果 呼吸系统疾病死亡个案共有144 106例,粗死亡率为101.02/10万,标化死亡率为87.56/10万.男性粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为106.49/10万(77 709例)、104.52/10万,女性粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为95.27/10万(66 397例)、72.96/10万.城市粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为86.00/10万(41 193例)、68.60/10万,农村粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为108.60/10万(102 913例)、97.74/10万.东部地区粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为95.69/10万(50 293例)、69.33/10万,中部地区呼吸系统疾病粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为88.61/10万(44 113例)、87.38/10万,西部地区粗死亡率和标化死亡率分别为123.26/10万(49 700例)、116.37/10万.呼吸系统感染性疾病粗死亡率及标化死亡率分别为12.40/10万(17 688例)、10.91/10万;慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)粗死亡率及标化死亡率分别为82.32/10万(117 440例)、71.18/10万;哮喘粗死亡率与标化死亡率分别为2.45/10万(3500例)、2.14/10万;支气管扩张症粗死亡率与标化死亡率分别为0.25/10万(362例)、0.22/10万;尘肺死亡率及标化死亡率分别为0.62/10万(878例)、0.56/10万.呼吸系统疾病死亡个案中,COPD、呼吸系统感染性疾病、哮喘分别占81.49%、12.27%、2.43%.结论 2004-2005年我国居民呼吸系统疾病死亡率农村高于城市,西部地区明显高于东部和中部地区,男性高于女性.COPD死亡率及占呼吸系统疾病总死亡的比例较高.     

长寿地区中老年人群心血管危险因素与慢性肾脏病的关联研究

目的探讨我国长寿地区中老年人群传统心血管疾病(cardiovascular disease,CVD)危险因素与慢性肾脏病(chronic kidney disease,CKD)的关系。方法选取7个中国长寿之乡的所有百岁老人,以及在该地区按百岁老人编码尾数随机选取的40~、60~、80~和90~岁人群为研究对象,进行CKD及相关危险因素的问卷调查、体格检查和血尿检测,肾功能评价采用MDRD方程估计的肾小球滤过率(eGFR),并将人群按eGFR水平分为3组,采用方差分析进行组间均值比较,组间率比较采用χ2检验,以有无CKD为因变量,进行单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析。结果随着eGFR水平下降,CVD危险因素检出率增加;单因素分析显示,年龄、女性、高血压、高甘油三酯(TG)、高低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)是CKD的危险因素;多因素Logistic分析显示,年龄、女性、高血压、高TG是CKD的危险因素。结论长寿地区中老年人群CVD危险因素随eGFR水平下降检出率增高,年龄、女性、高血压、高TG是CKD的危险因素。     

Occupational respiratory disease in mining

This review is based on research-based literature on occupational lung disease in the mining and related industries, focusing on conditions of public health importance arising from asbestos, coal and silica exposure. Both 'traditional' and 'new' concerns about occupational respiratory disease in miners are addressed, with the inclusion of practical evidence-based findings relevant to practitioners working in developed and developing countries. Mining is not a homogeneous industry since current miners work in formal and informal operations with numerous, and often multiple, air-borne exposures. A further occupational health challenge facing primary care practitioners are ex-miners presenting with disease only after long latency. The sequelae of silica exposure remain an occupational health priority, particularly for practitioners who serve populations with concomitant HIV and tuberculosis infection and even when exposure is apparently below the statutory occupational exposure level. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis, asbestos related diseases, lung cancer and other occupational respiratory diseases remain of considerable importance even after mining operations cease. While mining exposures contribute significantly to lung disease, smoking is a major factor in the development of lung cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease necessitating a comprehensive approach for prevention and control of mining-related occupational lung disease.     

淮南煤矿区蔬菜重金属污染特征及其健康风险

目的探讨和分析煤矿区蔬菜重金属污染水平及其人体健康风险。方法于2014年9月选取淮南煤矿区8类典型蔬菜,共采集56份样品,分析蔬菜As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg和Pb蓄积水平,并评估该地区蔬菜重金属污染的人体健康风险。结果部分蔬菜中Cu、Cd和Pb含量超标,但除蒜苗为中度污染(P综=2.96)外,其他蔬菜均属于安全或警戒级(P综1)。成人、儿童摄入蔬菜中Cu的风险值和儿童摄入Cr的风险值(HQ)均1。成人和儿童对6种重金属暴露的总风险值(HQ)均1。结论淮南煤矿区蔬菜重金属污染整体上属于低到中等水平,但多种重金属复合污染的人体健康风险需引起重视。     

Mortality and temperature in Oslo,Norway, 1990-1995

The associations between temperature and daily mortality was studied among the citizens of Oslo, Norway, 1990–1995. Data on daily mortality were linked with daily temperatures, relative humidity, wind velocity and air pollution. At temperatures below 10 °C, a 1 °C fall in the last 7 days average temperature increased the daily mortality from all diseases by 1.4%, respiratory diseases 2.1%, and cardiovascular diseases 1.7%. Above 10 °C, there was no statistically significant increase in daily mortality, except for respiratory mortality, which increased by 4.7% per 1 °C increase in the last 7 days average temperature. Daily mortality in Oslo increases with temperatures falling below 10 °C. The increase starts at lower temperatures than shown in warmer regions of the world, but at higher temperatures than in regions with even colder climates. As well insulated and heated dwellings are standard in Norway today, more adequate clothing during outdoor visits is probably the most important preventive measure for temperature related mortality.     

广西监测点2008-2012年呼吸系统疾病死亡特征分析

目的 分析2008-2012年广西监测点居民呼吸系统疾病死亡状况,为预防和控制呼吸系统疾病提供参考依据。方法 从广西死因监测点死因登记报告信息系统收集2008-2012 年的监测数据,对居民呼吸系统疾病死亡资料进行分析。结果 2008-2012年广西监测点共报告呼吸系统疾病死亡12 041人, 呼吸系统疾病死亡率为78.95/10万,标化死亡率为77.63/10万。对资料进行卡方趋势检验,结果具有统计学意义（χ²=7.59,P=0.006）且死亡率随年龄的增长而增加。男女死亡率分别为86.33/10万和70.79/10万,男女死亡率差异无统计学意义（Z=1.38, P=0.167）。城乡居民死亡率分别为27.82/10万和101.91/10万;城乡粗死亡率差异有统计学意义（Z=6.44, P<0.001）,农村明显高于城市。主要呼吸系统疾病的慢性阻塞性肺疾病的死亡率最高,为71.58/10万。结论 广西监测点呼吸系统疾病死亡率随年龄增长而升高,农村居民该病死亡率高于城市居民,因而呼吸系统疾病的防治工作重点在于老年农村居民。     

40例煤工尘肺合并呼吸衰竭的临床分析

目的:探讨参麦注射液治疗煤工尘肺合并呼吸衰竭的临床疗效。方法:选取淮北市职业病防治院收治的煤工尘肺合并呼吸衰竭患者40例,随机分成观察组和对照组各20例。两组患者经过相关检查和明确诊断后均进行一般常规治疗,观察组患者在此基础上加用参麦注射液治疗。结果:与对照组相比,观察组救治成功的比例显著提高,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与此同时,观察组患者氧分压和二氧化碳分压等动脉血气分析指标均显著改善,且组间比较差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:参麦注射液可提高煤工尘肺合并呼吸衰竭患者的临床疗效,值得临床推广。     

长沙市煤炭开采业尘肺病现状与流行趋势

目的 探讨长沙市煤炭开采业尘肺病分布特点和发病规律,预测流行趋势,为制定煤炭开采业尘肺防治对策提供科学依据.方法 采用回顾性流行病学调查方法,收集该市历年来诊断的煤工尘肺病例,建立尘肺病数据库,用SPSS 17.0统计方法,分析煤工尘肺患病率、区县分布、诊断年代以及发病工龄和发病年龄的差异.结果 全市累计诊断煤工尘肺病例712例,主要分布在浏阳市(50.84％)、宁乡县(36.38)和望城县(5.20％).煤炭行业占85.53％.尘肺Ⅰ期502例(70.51％),Ⅱ期193例(27.11％),Ⅲ期17例(2.39％).20世纪80年代病例分布居首位,占50.84％.平均发病工龄(19.82±8.28)a,平均发病年龄(48.33±8.53)岁.肺结核并发率12.08％,累积报告尘肺死亡病例47例,病死率6.60％.结论 全市尘肺病新发病例1960-1980年呈逐渐增长趋势,2000年后病例逐渐减少.需加大煤炭工业粉尘危害监测与风险控制,完善粉尘暴露人群监护机制.     

秦山核电厂周围居民1988～2000年呼吸系统病死因分析

目的:建立秦山核电厂周围20公里范围内居民健康状况数据库。方法:“居民死亡医学证明书”,结合回顾性调查,获取相关数据。结果:1988～2000年居民因呼吸系统疾病死亡居全死因首位,年均死亡率为218.49/10万(标化死亡率为154.72/10万);死因依次为支气管炎、肺气肿和哮喘,标化死亡率为124.34/10万;肺恶性肿瘤标化死亡率为21.33/10万;肺炎标化死亡率为8.98/10万;尘肺标化死亡率为0.07/10万。肺恶性肿瘤占全恶性肿瘤死亡的20.99%。肺炎、肺恶性肿瘤、支气管炎等呼吸系统疾病死亡随着年龄的增加而上升,在40岁以后出现明显的峰值。支气管炎、肺气肿和哮喘和肺炎的死亡总体呈下降趋势,肺恶性肿瘤则呈逐年上升趋势。结论:呼吸系统疾病已是居民的主要死因,秦山核电站在正常运行过程中排放的少量放射性物质没有对周围环境造成显著的影响。     

2008年寿光市居民死亡情况分析

[目的]了解寿光市居民的死亡率及死亡原因,为制订卫生事业发展规划和卫生政策提供科学依据。[方法]对寿光市2008年居民死亡资料进行分析。[结果]2008年报告死亡6 725人,死亡率为657.26/10万。居民死亡率(/10万),男性为732.13,女性为580.87(P0.01)。居民死亡率最高的前4位死因依次为循环系统疾病(254.60/10万)、恶性肿瘤(192.93/10万)、呼吸系统疾病(109.07/10万)、损伤和外部中毒原因(60.11/10万)。[结论]寿光市2008年居民死亡率较高,循环系统疾病和恶性肿瘤是主要死因。     

2016—2018年平顶山市煤矿企业职业健康档案管理现状

目的了解2016—2018年平顶山市煤矿企业职业健康档案管理现状,为完善平顶山市职业健康档案管理工作提供参考依据。方法采用随机抽样调查法对2016年1月—2018年12月平顶山市正常运营的60家煤矿企业的职业健康档案管理现状进行调查和分析。结果煤矿企业以私有企业(48家)为主要类型,占80.00%。企业规模多为中、小型企业,大型企业仅有8家,占13.33%。粉尘、甲烷、噪声、高温、硫化氢、一氧化碳和氮氧化物是煤矿工人能接触到的高危有害因素,可导致尘肺病、职业性皮肤病、职业性眼病、噪声聋、中暑、职业性化学中毒及手臂振动病等职业病。60家煤矿企业中12项管理制度不健全的企业仅有14家,占23.33%;管理制度存在缺陷和不足的企业有25家,占41.67%,大多为管理细则方面存在缺失或描述不明确。60家企业均有个人防护用品领用记录和员工年度职业健康检查报告记录,其余各项年度计划和动态记录存在一定程度的缺失,缺失最为严重的记录表为职业病危害检测记录与评价,有19家(31.67%)企业存在记录与评价不完善,有11家(18.33%)企业直接缺失。结论 2016—2018年平顶山市60家煤矿企业均建立...     

Mortality from non-malignant respiratory diseases in Andalusia,Spain, 1975-1997

This study aims to assess mortality trends of nonmalignant respiratory diseases from 1975 through 1997 in the population of Andalusia (a region of Spain in the southwest, population 7,000,000). The death records containing codes 460–519 of the International Classification of Diseases, Eighth Revision (ICD-8) and Ninth Revision (ICD-9) in effect through the 23-year period were used in this study. Deaths from nonmalignant respiratory diseases accounted for 12.4 and 10% of all deaths in males and females in 1975 and for 12.1 and 8.3% in 1997. Crude death rates decreased from 107.5 to 102.7 per 100,000 amongst men, and from 76.9 to 62.2 per 100,000 amongst women. Age-adjusted death rates decreased from 167.6 to 111.6 per 100,000 in men and from 84.4 to 41.2 per 100,000 in women. Age-adjusted death rate by potential years of life lost decreased from 5.8 to 2.4 per 1000 in men and from 2.4 to 0.8 per 1000 in women. Total percentage of change, adjusted by age, showed a decrease of 24.3% in men and 45.9% in women. Gender-adjusted rates for each category of nonmalignant respiratory disorders showed an upward trend of obstructive lung diseases in men and a downward trend of diseases of the upper airways and pneumonia both in men and women. Specific death rates by age groups for 1975–1985 and 1986–1997 showed an increased in mortality in infants under 1 year of age and an abrupt decrease up to the age of 50 followed by an exponential increase up to the age of 85.     

2001-2013年金昌队列人群冠心病死亡趋势及疾病负担研究

目的 了解金昌队列人群冠心病（coronary heart disease,CHD）的死亡趋势,以及冠心病对该人群造成的疾病负担。方法 利用建立的大型随访队列人群的资料,应用死亡率、潜在减寿年数（potential years of life lost,PYLL）、潜在工作损失年数（working years of potential life lost,WYPLL）等指标,分析2001-2013年该队列人群的冠心病死亡趋势和疾病负担现状,运用平均增长速度描述疾病负担的变化趋势。结果 2001-2013年金昌队列人群冠心病粗死亡率为40.47/10万,其中男性标化死亡率随年份有增长趋势,但是70~79岁组冠心病的死亡率随年份呈下降趋势。女性因冠心病造成的人均潜在减寿年数（average potential years of life lost,APYLL）（15.33年/人）是男性（6.95年/人）的2.21倍。人均潜在工作损失年（average working years of potential life lost,AWYPLL）女性（5.59年/人）是男性（3.42年/人）的1.63倍,其中人均潜在工作损失年和男性人均潜在寿命损失年随年份呈下降趋势。结论 2001-2013年金昌队列人群的冠心病死亡率有上升趋势,并对该人群造成沉重的疾病负担,应该对该人群展开进一步的冠心病防治措施。     

1992-2013年上海市宝山区居民心脏病死亡和潜在寿命损失的趋势

目的了解上海市宝山区居民心脏病死亡分布特征以及寿命损失情况,为心脏病防治提供科学依据。方法对宝山区1992—2013心脏病死亡资料进行分析,计算粗死亡率、标化死亡率、潜在寿命损失年(YPLL)和平均减寿年数(AYLL)等指标。结果全区因心脏病死亡病例14 518例,年平均死亡率为85.55/10万,占总死亡人数的12.24%。男性的粗死亡率低于女性(t=8.891,P<0.05),但标化死亡率则高于女性(t=4.099,P<0.05),二者的心脏病死亡率随时间呈波动递增趋势。随着年龄的增加心脏病的死亡率呈明显的递增趋势,不同年龄组间死亡率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性的YPLL、AYLL和女性相比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。心脏病的总人群、男性人群以及女性人群的YPLL、AYLL总体随时间呈递增趋势,但2011—2012年有下降趋势。冠心病是居民心脏病的主要致死类型,但急性心肌梗死的死亡造成潜在寿命损失最大。结论宝山区心脏病死亡主要危及中老年人,对居民的早死危害程度较高。     

我国空气污染物与人群呼吸系统疾病死亡急性效应的Meta分析

目的 回顾我国空气污染与呼吸系统疾病健康效应的研究, 定量分析空气污染物[空气动力学直径<2.5 μm的细颗粒物(PM_2.5)和<10 μm的可吸入颗粒物(PM₁₀)、二氧化硫(SO₂)、二氧化氮(NO₂)和臭氧(O₃)]与人群呼吸系统疾病急性死亡的关系。方法 系统收集1989-2014年在PubMed、SpringerLink、Embase、Medline、中国期刊全文数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库和维普中文科技期刊全文数据库公开发表的有关我国空气污染与呼吸系统疾病健康效应的研究文献, 总结该类研究在我国各省份的覆盖情况;并依据Meta分析法分别对PM₁₀、PM_2.5、NO₂、SO₂和O₃与人群呼吸系统疾病急性死亡关系的定量研究进行分析, 采用Stata 12.0软件进行异质性分析后利用固定或随机效应模型合并效应值, 并检验发表偏倚。结果 共收集到有关空气污染与人群呼吸系统疾病健康效应的研究文献157篇, 覆盖我国79.4%的省份。Meta分析结果显示, PM₁₀、PM_2.5、NO₂、SO₂和O₃浓度每上升10 μg/m³, 人群呼吸系统疾病死亡率分别增加0.50%(95%CI: 0~0.90%)、0.50%(95%CI: 0.30%~0.70%)、1.39%(95%CI: 0.90%~1.78%)、1.00%(95%CI: 0.40%~1.59%)和0.10%(95%CI: -1.21%~1.39%), 各研究均未发现明显发表偏倚。结论 我国PM₁₀、PM_2.5、NO₂、SO₂浓度的上升均会导致人群呼吸系统疾病急性死亡的增加。     

Cancer‐Related Beliefs and Perceptions in Appalachia: Findings from 3 States

Background : Appalachians experience increased rates of cancer incidence and mortality compared to non‐Appalachians. Many factors may contribute to the elevated cancer burden, including lack of knowledge and negative beliefs about the disease. Methods : Three National Cancer Institute (NCI)‐designated cancer centers with Appalachian counties in their respective population‐based geographic service areas—Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—surveyed their communities to better understand their health profiles, including 5 items assessing cancer beliefs. Weighted univariate and bivariate statistics were calculated for each of the 3 state's Appalachian population and for a combined Appalachian sample. Weighted multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with a cancer beliefs composite score. Data from the combined Appalachian sample were compared to NCI's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Results : Data from 1,891 Appalachian respondents were included in the analysis (Kentucky = 798, Ohio = 112, Pennsylvania = 981). Significant differences were observed across the 3 Appalachian populations related to income, education, marital status, rurality, perceptions of present income, and body mass index (BMI). Four of 5 cancer beliefs were significantly different across the 3 states. Education, BMI, perceptions of financial security, and Kentucky residence were significantly associated with a lower composite score of cancer beliefs. When comparing the combined Appalachian population to HINTS, 3 of 5 cancer belief measures were significantly different. Conclusions : Variations in cancer beliefs were observed across the 3 states’ Appalachian populations. Interventions should be tailored to specific communities to improve cancer knowledge and beliefs and, ultimately, prevention and screening behaviors.     

Living near opencast coal mining sites and children's respiratory health

OBJECTIVES—To answer the question whether living near opencast coal mining sites affects acute and chronic respiratory health.
METHODS—All 4860 children aged 1-11 from five socioeconomically matched pairs of communities close to active opencast sites and control sites away from them were selected. Exposure was assessed by concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM₁₀), residential proximity to active opencast sites, and particle composition. PM₁₀ was monitored and sampled for 6 weeks in four pairs, and for 24 weeks in one pair. A postal questionnaire collected data on health and lifestyle. Daily health information was collected by a symptom diary (concurrently with PM₁₀ monitoring) and general practitioner (GP) records were abstracted (concurrently with PM₁₀ monitoring and 52 weeks before the study). Outcomes were the cumulative and period prevalence (2 and 12 months) of wheeze, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory symptoms, and the prevalence and incidence of daily symptoms and GP consultations.
RESULTS—Patterns of the daily variation of PM₁₀ were similar in opencast and control communities, but PM₁₀ was higher in opencast areas (mean ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13 to 1.16, geometric mean 17.0 µg/m³ v 14.9 µg/m³). Opencast sites were a measurable contributor to PM₁₀ in adjacent areas. Little evidence was found for associations between living near an opencast site and an increased prevalence of respiratory illnesses, asthma severity, or daily diary symptoms, but children in opencast communities 1-4 had significantly more respiratory consultations (1.5 v 1.1 per person-year) than children in control communities for the 6 week study periods. Associations between daily PM₁₀ concentrations and acute health events were similar in opencast and control communities.
CONCLUSIONS—Children in opencast communities were exposed to a small but significant amount of additional PM₁₀ to which the opencast sites were a measurable contributor. Past and present respiratory health of children was similar, but GP consultations for respiratory conditions were higher in opencast communities during the core study period.


Keywords: opencast coal mining; respiratory health; PM₁₀