David P Bui1,2, Esther A Kukielka1,3, Erin F Blau1,4, Lindsay K Tompkins1,2, K Leann Bing5, Charles Edge3, Rebecca Hardin4, Diane Miller6, James House4, Tegan Boehmer7, Andrea Winquist2, Maureen Orr8, Renée Funk3, Doug Thoroughman4,9. 1. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2. Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. 3. Office of Emergency Management, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. 4. Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, USA. 5. Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA. 6. Lincoln County Health Department, Stanford, KY, USA. 7. Office of the Director, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. 8. Office of Innovation and Analytics, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA. 9. Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Division of State and Local Readiness, Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess occupational health effects 1 month after responding to a natural gas pipeline explosion. METHODS: First responders to a pipeline explosion in Kentucky were interviewed about pre- and post-response health symptoms, post-response health care, and physical exertion and personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the response. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between several risk factors and development of post-response symptoms. RESULTS: Among 173 first responders involved, 105 (firefighters [58%], emergency medical services [19%], law enforcement [10%], and others [12%]) were interviewed. Half (53%) reported at least 1 new or worsening symptom, including upper respiratory symptoms (39%), headache (18%), eye irritation (17%), and lower respiratory symptoms (16%). The majority (79%) of symptomatic responders did not seek post-response care. Compared with light-exertion responders, hard-exertion responders (48%) had significantly greater odds of upper respiratory symptoms (aOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.25-7.50). Forty-four percent of responders and 77% of non-firefighter responders reported not using any PPE. CONCLUSIONS: Upper respiratory symptoms were common among first responders of a natural gas pipeline explosion and associated with hard-exertion activity. Emergency managers should ensure responders are trained in, equipped with, and properly use PPE during these incidents and encourage responders to seek post-response health care when needed.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess occupational health effects 1 month after responding to a natural gas pipeline explosion. METHODS: First responders to a pipeline explosion in Kentucky were interviewed about pre- and post-response health symptoms, post-response health care, and physical exertion and personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the response. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between several risk factors and development of post-response symptoms. RESULTS: Among 173 first responders involved, 105 (firefighters [58%], emergency medical services [19%], law enforcement [10%], and others [12%]) were interviewed. Half (53%) reported at least 1 new or worsening symptom, including upper respiratory symptoms (39%), headache (18%), eye irritation (17%), and lower respiratory symptoms (16%). The majority (79%) of symptomatic responders did not seek post-response care. Compared with light-exertion responders, hard-exertion responders (48%) had significantly greater odds of upper respiratory symptoms (aOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.25-7.50). Forty-four percent of responders and 77% of non-firefighter responders reported not using any PPE. CONCLUSIONS: Upper respiratory symptoms were common among first responders of a natural gas pipeline explosion and associated with hard-exertion activity. Emergency managers should ensure responders are trained in, equipped with, and properly use PPE during these incidents and encourage responders to seek post-response health care when needed.
Authors: J L Burgess; C J Nanson; D M Bolstad-Johnson; R Gerkin; T A Hysong; R C Lantz; D L Sherrill; C D Crutchfield; S F Quan; A M Bernard; M L Witten Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Jingmei Dong; Su Zhang; Li Xia; Yi Yu; Shuangshuang Hu; Jingyu Sun; Ping Zhou; Peijie Chen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-01-23 Impact factor: 3.390