Next Article in Journal
The Effects of Force That Pushes Forward Lumbar Region on Sagittal Spinal Alignment When Wearing Backpack
Previous Article in Journal
Unequal Protective Effects of Parental Educational Attainment on the Body Mass Index of Black and White Youth
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study

by
Abby N. Hagemeyer
1,
Clara G. Sears
2 and
Kristina M. Zierold
3,*
1
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
2
Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
3
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3642; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193642
Submission received: 12 August 2019 / Revised: 24 September 2019 / Accepted: 26 September 2019 / Published: 28 September 2019

Abstract

Coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal made up of small particles, including heavy metals and radioactive elements, is discarded in open-air landfills where it can be emitted into the air, contributing to air pollution in the surrounding community. Few regulations exist regarding the storage, disposal, and transport of coal ash. There is limited research on the health impacts of coal ash exposure on communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among adults exposed to coal ash and non-exposed adults. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among two populations: one exposed to coal ash and one not exposed to coal ash. Perception of health (p-Value < 0.0001), cough (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 5.30, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 2.60–11), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.56–4.31), hoarseness (AOR = 4.02, 95% CI = 2.45–6.60), respiratory infections (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.14–2.89), and mean overall respiratory health score (p-Value < 0.0001) were all statistically significantly greater in exposed adults (N = 231) when compared to non-exposed adults (N = 170). Adults residing near the coal ash facility were more likely to report respiratory symptoms than the non-exposed population. More research on the health impact of coal ash and storage regulations needs to be conducted.
Keywords: coal ash; fly ash; coal combustion residuals; coal-burning power plants; respiratory health; air pollution; environmental health coal ash; fly ash; coal combustion residuals; coal-burning power plants; respiratory health; air pollution; environmental health

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Hagemeyer, A.N.; Sears, C.G.; Zierold, K.M. Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 3642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193642

AMA Style

Hagemeyer AN, Sears CG, Zierold KM. Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(19):3642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193642

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hagemeyer, Abby N., Clara G. Sears, and Kristina M. Zierold. 2019. "Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 19: 3642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193642

APA Style

Hagemeyer, A. N., Sears, C. G., & Zierold, K. M. (2019). Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 3642. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193642

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop