Authors
Tyler J Lane, Matthew Carroll, Brigitte M Borg, Tracy A McCaffrey, Catherine L Smith, Caroline X Gao, David Brown, David Poland, Shantelle Allgood, Jillian Ikin, Michael J Abramson
Publication date
2024/1
Journal
Respirology
Volume
29
Issue
1
Pages
56-62
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Description
Background
In 2014, the Hazelwood coalmine fire shrouded the regional Australian town of Morwell in smoke and ash for 6 weeks. One of the fire's by‐products, PM2.5, is associated with an increased risk of COVID‐19 and severe disease. However, it is unclear whether the effect persisted for years after exposure. In this study, we surveyed a cohort established prior to the pandemic to determine whether PM2.5 from the coalmine fire increased long‐term vulnerability to COVID‐19 and severe disease.
Methods
From August to December 2022, 612 members of the Hazelwood Health Study's adult cohort, established in 2016/17, participated in a follow‐up survey that included standardized items to capture COVID‐19 cases, as well as questions about hospitalization and vaccinations. Associations were evaluated in crude and adjusted logistic regression models.
Results
A total of 268 (44%) participants self …
Total citations
Scholar articles
TJ Lane, M Carroll, BM Borg, TA McCaffrey, CL Smith… - Respirology, 2024