Elena Austin1, Edward Kasner1, Edmund Seto1, June Spector1,2. 1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. 2. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the combined burden of heat and air quality exposure in Washington State agriculture by (1) characterizing the spatiotemporal pattern of heat and PM2.5 exposures during wildfire seasons; (2) describing the potential impact of these combined exposures on agricultural worker populations; and (3) identifying data gaps for addressing this burden in rural areas. METHODS: We combined county-level data to explore data availability and estimate the burden of heat and PM2.5 co-exposures for Washington agricultural workers from 2010 to 2018. Quarterly agricultural worker population estimates were linked with data from a weather station network and ambient air pollution monitoring sites. A geographical information system displayed counties, air monitoring sites, agricultural crops, and images from a smoke dispersion model during recent wildfire events. RESULTS: We found substantial spatial and temporal variability in high heat and PM2.5 exposures. The largest peaks in PM2.5 exposures tended to occur when the heat index was around 85°F and during summers when there were wildfires. Counties with the largest agricultural populations tended to have the greatest concurrent high heat and PM2.5 exposures, and these exposures tended to be highest during the third quarter (July-September), when population counts were also highest. Additionally, we observed limited access to local air quality information in certain rural areas. CONCLUSION: Our findings inform efforts about highest risk areas, times of year, and data availability in rural areas. Understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of exposures is consistent with the precision agriculture framework and is foundational to addressing equity in rural agricultural settings.
Objectives: To evaluate the combined burden of heat and air quality exposure in Washington State agriculture by (1) characterizing the spatiotemporal pattern of heat and PM2.5 exposures during wildfire seasons; (2) describing the potential impact of these combined exposures on agricultural worker populations; and (3) identifying data gaps for addressing this burden in rural areas. METHODS: We combined county-level data to explore data availability and estimate the burden of heat and PM2.5 co-exposures for Washington agricultural workers from 2010 to 2018. Quarterly agricultural worker population estimates were linked with data from a weather station network and ambient air pollution monitoring sites. A geographical information system displayed counties, air monitoring sites, agricultural crops, and images from a smoke dispersion model during recent wildfire events. RESULTS: We found substantial spatial and temporal variability in high heat and PM2.5 exposures. The largest peaks in PM2.5 exposures tended to occur when the heat index was around 85°F and during summers when there were wildfires. Counties with the largest agricultural populations tended to have the greatest concurrent high heat and PM2.5 exposures, and these exposures tended to be highest during the third quarter (July-September), when population counts were also highest. Additionally, we observed limited access to local air quality information in certain rural areas. CONCLUSION: Our findings inform efforts about highest risk areas, times of year, and data availability in rural areas. Understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of exposures is consistent with the precision agriculture framework and is foundational to addressing equity in rural agricultural settings.
Authors: Andreas D Flouris; Petros C Dinas; Leonidas G Ioannou; Lars Nybo; George Havenith; Glen P Kenny; Tord Kjellstrom Journal: Lancet Planet Health Date: 2018-12
Authors: Colleen E Reid; Michael Brauer; Fay H Johnston; Michael Jerrett; John R Balmes; Catherine T Elliott Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2016-04-15 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Edmund Seto; Graeme Carvlin; Elena Austin; Jeffry Shirai; Esther Bejarano; Humberto Lugo; Luis Olmedo; Astrid Calderas; Michael Jerrett; Galatea King; Dan Meltzer; Alexa Wilkie; Michelle Wong; Paul English Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-05 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Christopher Zuidema; Elena Austin; Martin A Cohen; Edward Kasner; Lilian Liu; Tania Busch Isaksen; Ken-Yu Lin; June Spector; Edmund Seto Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2022-04-22 Impact factor: 2.779