Kenneth Verrall

Air particulate pollution due to bushfires and respiratory hospital admissions in Brisbane, Australia

Abstract To examine the impact of bushfire smoke on hospital admission rates for respiratory disease, a time series study was conducted in Brisbane, Australia. Data on particles of 10 microns or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) per cubic metre, bushfire events, meteorological conditions, and daily respiratory hospital admissions were obtained for the period of 1 July 1997 to 31 December 2000. A generalized linear model with the negative binomial distribution was used to estimate the effects of bushfire smoke on respiratory hospital admissions. The results of this study show that daily respiratory hospital admission rates consistently increased with increasing levels of PM10 for both bushfire and non-bushfire periods. This relationship appeared stronger during bushfire periods than non-bushfire periods, especially for the current day. The findings suggest that bushfire smoke was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of respiratory hospital admissions in Brisbane (p < 0.05). The health impact assessment needs to be considered in the control and management of bushfires.

Evaluating the effectiveness of heat warning systems: systematic review of epidemiological evidence.

ObjectivesTo review the existing research on the effectiveness of heat warning systems (HWSs) in saving lives and reducing harm.MethodsA systematic search of major databases was conducted, using “heat, heatwave, high temperature, hot temperature, OR hot climate” AND “warning system”.ResultsFifteen articles were retrieved. Six studies asserted that fewer people died of excessive heat after HWS implementation. HWS was associated with reduction in ambulance use. One study estimated the benefits of HWS to be

Population Health, Environment and Economic Development

468 million for saving 117 lives compared to

Towards Environmental Health Indicators for Sustainable Development: An Inductive Qualitative Perspective

210,000 costs of running the system. Eight studies showed that mere availability of HWS did not lead to behavioral changes. Perceived threat of heat dangers to self/others was the main factor related to heeding warnings and taking proper actions. However, costs and barriers associated with taking protective actions, such as costs of running air conditioners, were of significant concern particularly to the poor.ConclusionsResearch in this area is limited. Prospective designs applying health behavior theories should establish whether HWS can produce the health benefits they are purported to achieve by identifying the target vulnerable groups.

Spatial Patterns of SO{2} and Cardiorespiratory Mortality in Brisbane, Australia, 1999-2001

There are fundamental links between population health, environment and economic development. The ultimate goal of economic development is to improve the quality of human life and increase peoples longevity. This goal cannot be achieved without a clean and prosperous Earth. There has been increasing evidence showing that the expansion of economic activities can have significant impacts on the environment and can cause large-scale and sometimes irreversible environmental changes. It is beyond reasonable doubt that these changes will have serious public health consequences. How to tackle these issues is a unprecedented challenge to scientists and policy-makers.