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Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas O’Dwyer

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Equal first authors.)

  • Michael J. Abramson

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Equal first authors.)

  • Lahn Straney

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Farhad Salimi

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Fay Johnston

    (Environmental Health, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia)

  • Amanda J. Wheeler

    (Environmental Health, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
    Behaviour, Environment and Cognition Program, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne 3000, Australia)

  • David O’Keeffe

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Anjali Haikerwal

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Fabienne Reisen

    (Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Aspendale 3195, Australia)

  • Ingrid Hopper

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia)

  • Martine Dennekamp

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia
    Environmental Public Health Unit, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Melbourne 3053, Australia
    Senior author.)

Abstract

Many Australians are intermittently exposed to landscape fire smoke from wildfires or planned (prescribed) burns. This study aimed to investigate effects of outdoor smoke from planned burns, wildfires and a coal mine fire by assessing biomarkers of inflammation in an exposed and predominantly older population. Participants were recruited from three communities in south-eastern Australia. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) were continuously measured within these communities, with participants performing a range of health measures during and without a smoke event. Changes in biomarkers were examined in response to PM 2.5 concentrations from outdoor smoke. Increased levels of FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) (β = 0.500 [95%CI 0.192 to 0.808] p < 0.001) at a 4 h lag were associated with a 10 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 levels from outdoor smoke, with effects also shown for wildfire smoke at 4, 12, 24 and 48-h lag periods and coal mine fire smoke at a 4 h lag. Total white cell (β = −0.088 [−0.171 to −0.006] p = 0.036) and neutrophil counts (β = −0.077 [−0.144 to −0.010] p = 0.024) declined in response to a 10 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 . However, exposure to outdoor smoke resulting from wildfires, planned burns and a coal mine fire was not found to affect other blood biomarkers.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas O’Dwyer & Michael J. Abramson & Lahn Straney & Farhad Salimi & Fay Johnston & Amanda J. Wheeler & David O’Keeffe & Anjali Haikerwal & Fabienne Reisen & Ingrid Hopper & Martine Dennekamp, 2021. "Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-10, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1131-:d:488283
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jason J. Sharples & Geoffrey J. Cary & Paul Fox-Hughes & Scott Mooney & Jason P. Evans & Michael-Shawn Fletcher & Mike Fromm & Pauline F. Grierson & Rick McRae & Patrick Baker, 2016. "Natural hazards in Australia: extreme bushfire," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 85-99, November.
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