Systematic review of community health impacts of mountaintop removal mining

Environmental exposures and pulmonary function among adult residents of rural Appalachian Kentucky

BACKGROUND

Estimated residential exposures of adults to roadway density and several metrics of resource extraction, including coal mining and oil and gas drilling, were hypothesized to contribute to the prevalence of respiratory disease in rural Appalachia.

OBJECTIVE

Determine how small-area geographic variation in residential environmental exposures impacts measures of pulmonary function among adults in a community-based study.

METHODS

We examined associations between residential environmental respiratory exposures and pulmonary function among 827 adult participants of the "The Mountain Air Project", a community-based, cross-sectional study in Southeastern Kentucky during 2016-2018. Exposures characterized the density of roadways, oil/gas wells, or current/past surface and underground coal mining at the level of 14-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC), or valley "hollow" where participants resided. Each participant completed an in-person interview to obtain extensive background data on risk factors, health history, and occupational and environmental exposures, as well as a spirometry test administered by experienced study staff at their place of residence. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the adjusted association between each environmental exposure and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1PP) and forced vital capacity (FVCPP).

RESULTS

Adjusted regression models indicate persons living in HUCs with the highest level of roadway density experienced a reduction in both FEV1PP (-4.3: 95% CI: -7.44 -1.15;) and FVCPP (-3.8: 95% CI: -6.38, -1.21) versus persons in HUCs with the lowest roadway density. No associations were detected between the metrics associated with mining and oil and gas operations and individual pulmonary function.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Our work demonstrates the potential adverse impact of roadway-related exposures on the respiratory health of rural Appalachia residents. We employed a novel method of small-area exposure classification based on the hydrologic unit code (HUC), representing potential exposure levels per hollow occurring  in proximity to the residence, and controlled for individual-level risk factors for reduced respiratory health. We highlight an overlooked yet ubiquitous source of residential exposure from motor vehicles that may contribute to the regionally high prevalence of respiratory disease in rural Appalachia.

Major and minor ECG abnormalities depending on regional living conditions in Russia

The goal of our study was to explore the effect of living conditions on the odd of major and minor ECG abnormalities on a large region scale in Russia. For the analysis, cross-sectional data of the Russian study, ESSE-RF 2013-2014, were used. They were collected on a sample of 16,400 subjects from 10 regions of the Russia. ECG abnormalities were grouped into two categories: Major and Minor (sensu the 2009 version of the Minnesota Code Classification System). Regional living conditions were considered comprehensively via five indices combining 33 characteristics of the regions. The estimates were presented as odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence values of major abnormalities in the sample were 8.4% among women and 9.4% among men (p = 0.021). The prevalence of minor abnormalities constituted 34.1% and 45.9%, respectively (p < 0.001). In men, the odd of major ECG abnormalities increased with the demographic depression growth (1.08: 1.04-1.12) and with industrial development growth in the region (1.12: 1.07-1.17). In women, an increase in the odd of major ECG abnormalities was directly associated with industrial development (1.12: 1.07-1.16) and inversely related to the economic development in the region (0.94: 0.89-0.99). The odd of minor ECG abnormalities in men and women declined with the growth of the regional economic development: OR of 0.95: 0.93-0.98, and OR of 0.92: 0.87-0.99, respectively. The study demonstrated an effect of regional living conditions of the Russian population on the odd of major and minor ECG abnormalities. The most stable and logically explainable relationships were obtained for industrial and economic characteristics of living conditions.

Identifying exposure pathways mediating adverse birth outcomes near active surface mines in Central Appalachia

Background:

Previous work has determined an association between proximity to active surface mining within Central Appalachia and an increased risk of preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW). Multiple potential exposure pathways may exist; however, including inhalation of particulate matter (airshed exposure), or exposure to impacted surface waters (watershed exposure). We hypothesize that this relationship is mediated by exposure to contaminants along one or both of these pathways.

Methods:

We geolocated 194,084 birth records through health departments in WV, KY, VA, and TN between 1990 and 2015. We performed a mediation analysis, iteratively including within our models: (a) the percent of active surface mining within 5 km of maternal residence during gestation; (b) the cumulative surface mining airshed trajectories experienced during gestation; and (c) the percent of active surface mining occurring within the watershed of residency during gestation.

Results:

Our baseline models found that active surface mining was associated with an increased odds of PTB (1.09, 1.05–1.13) and LBW (1.06, 1.02–1.11), controlling for individual-level predictors. When mediators were added to the baseline model, the association between active mining and birth outcomes became nonsignificant (PTB: 0.48, 0.14–1.58; LBW 0.78, 0.19–3.00), whereas the association between PTB and LBW remained significant by airshed exposure (PTB: 1.14, 1.11–1.18; LBW: 1.06, 1.03–1.10).

Conclusions:

Our results found that surface mining airsheds at least partially explained the association between active mining and adverse birth outcomes, consistent with a hypothesis of mediation, while mediation via the watershed pathway was less evident.

Climate justice is central to addressing the climate emergency’s psychological consequences in the Global South: a narrative review

The United Nations has signalled a ‘code red’, marking climate change as an existential threat for humanity. The world is rapidly warming, and the consequences of climate change include an increase and intensification in flooding, droughts, wildfires, and other traumatic exposures. Although countries in the Global South have contributed least to global warming, they are the most vulnerable owing to historical inequities. The concept of ‘climate justice’ recognises that historical racial discrimination, class disenfranchisement, political misrecognition, and other social injustices make surviving climate change and thriving within it more challenging. This narrative review considers the psychological consequences of the climate emergency through a climate justice lens. The article discusses the unequal exposures to psychological adversities, socio-historical barriers to adaptations and, finally, institutional betrayal that complicates the experience of psychological distress. The review concludes by pragmatically discussing how psychology could support climate justice ends.

Surface mining and low birth weight in central appalachia

BACKGROUND

Surface mining has become a significant method of coal mining in the Central Appalachian region of the eastern United States alongside the traditional underground mining. Concerns have been raised about the health effects of this surface mining, particularly mountaintop removal mining where coal is mined upon steep mountaintops by removing the mountaintop through clearcutting forests and explosives.

METHODS

We used a control group design with a pretest and a posttest to assess the associations of surface mining in Central Appalachia with low birth weight and other adverse birth outcomes. The pretest period is 1977-1989, a period of low surface mining activity. We consider three posttest periods: 1990-1998, 1999-2011 and 2012-2017, with 1999-2011 as the primary analysis and the other periods as secondary analyses. Surface mining in Central Appalachia increased after 1989, partly resulting from the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 which made surface mining in Appalachia more financially attractive. For the primary analysis, we fit a logistic regression model of the primary outcome (low birth weight, <2500 g) on dummy variables for county and year; individual level maternal/infant covariates (maternal race, maternal age, infant sex and whether birth was a multiple birth); and the amount of surface mining during the year of the birth in the maternal county of residence.

RESULTS

Our analysis sample consisted of 783,328 infants -- 482,284 infants born from 1977 to 2017 to women residing in substantial surface mining activity counties and 301,044 infants born from 1977 to 2017 to women residing in matched control counties. Compared to the pre-period of low surface mining from 1977 to 1989, for the primary analysis posttest period of 1999-2011, there was an estimated relative increase in low birth weight in surface mining counties compared to matched control counties that was not statistically significant (odds ratio for a 5 percentage point increase in area disturbed by surface mining: 1.07, 95% confidence interval (0.96, 1.20), p-value: .22). For the secondary analysis posttest period of 1990-1998, there was no increase (odds ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: (0.74, 1.13), p-value: .41). For the secondary analysis posttest period of 2012-2017, there was a statistically significant relative increase (odds ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval: (1.08, 1.50), p-value: .004). Qualitatively similar results were found for the outcomes of very low birth weight, preterm birth and small-for-gestational age.

CONCLUSIONS

We examined the hypothesis that surface mining activity in Central Appalachia contributes to low birth weight using an observational study. We found evidence in secondary analyses that surface mining was associated with low birth weight in the 2012-2017 time period and potentially beginning in the early to mid 2000's. Evidence for an association was not found prior to 2000. A potential explanation for this pattern of association is that surface mining caused an increase in low birth weight but its onset was delayed. Future research is needed to clarify the findings and if replicated, identify the mechanism necessary to mitigate the impacts of mining on adverse birth outcomes.

The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

Energy, food, or mobility can be conceptualized as provisioning systems which are decisive to sustainability transformations in how they shape resource use and because of emissions resulting from them. To curb environmental pressures and improve societal well-being, fundamental changes to existing provisioning systems are necessary. In this article, we propose that provisioning systems be conceptualized as featuring integrated socio-metabolic and political-economic dimensions. In socio-metabolic terms, material stocks-buildings, infrastructures, and machines, for example-are key components of provisioning systems and transform flows of energy and materials into goods and services. In political-economic terms, provisioning systems are formed by actors, institutions, and capital. We loosely identify and closely analyze, from socio-metabolic and political-economic perspectives, five phases along which provisioning systems are shaped and in which specific opportunities for interventions exist. Relying mainly on examples from the fossil-fueled electricity system, we argue that an integrated conceptualization of provisioning systems can advance understanding of these systems in two essential ways: by (1) facilitating a more encompassing perspective on current forms of provisioning as relying on capitalist regulation and on material stocks and flows and by (2) embedding provisioning systems within their historical context, making it possible to conceive of more sustainable and just forms of provisioning under (radically) altered conditions.

Maternal proximity to Central Appalachia surface mining and birth outcomes

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Maternal residency in Central Appalachia counties with coal production has been previously associated with increased rates of low birth weight (LBW). To refine the relationship between surface mining and birth outcomes, this study employs finer spatiotemporal estimates of exposure.

Model for assessing health damage from air pollution in quarrying area - Case study at Tan Uyen quarry, Ho Chi Minh megapolis, Vietnam

Vietnam has a great demand for stone exploitation for the development of the country's infrastructure, reaching 181 million m³ in 2020. Mining activities are always accompanied by environmental pollution, negatively affecting public health. To accurately assess the level of pollution, as well as quantify the effect of air pollution on human health, a number of structures, methods, and models provide tools to assess the benefits of this control for public health and related economic values. However, there has been no research in Vietnam applied specifically to this type of stone exploitation. This study offers a model to evaluate the economic damage caused by dust exposure from activities related to quarrying, overcoming the lack of continuous monitoring data. The area selected for research is Binh Duong province, in the Ho Chi Minh megapolis, Vietnam, which has two construction quarries, Thuong Tan and Tan My, with a current annual production of approximately 4–5 million m³. The calculation results show that the damage to human health is estimated at approximately 9,643 billion dong a year, equivalent to 15.03 million USD. In addition, if the standard criteria are tightened, damage will continue to increase. This study also analyses some of the difficulties and limitations in the modelling process.

Combinations of Epidemiological and Experimental Studies in Air Pollution Research: A Narrative Review

Scientific literature is evolving to include more systematic reviews that encompass epidemiological and experimental papers so that the whole picture can be examined. The aim of this narrative review is to bridge that gap by combining epidemiological and experimental studies based on the same setting: Examples of Bitterfeld, Utah Valley, Beijing Olympic Games, and Viadana. This review looks at four examples that incorporate multiple epidemiological and experimental papers about air pollution exposure and health effects. The Bitterfeld (spatial) and Utah Valley (temporal) examples showed that particle composition causes the biggest difference in lung injury. In Beijing, a temporal difference of before/after and during the Olympics showed that traffic and industry air pollution-related health effects like lung cancer and cardiovascular disease could be reduced by improvement of air quality. The Viadana example showed a spatial difference in respiratory injury caused by particle composition and interactions with genotoxicity. Combining experimental and epidemiological methods gives a more in-depth look into the whole picture of exposure and health effects. Our review exemplifies the strength of this strategy and encourages further use of it.

Factors influencing high respiratory mortality in coal-mining counties: a repeated cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have associated elevated mortality risk in central Appalachia with coal-mining activities, but few have explored how different non-coal factors influence the association within each county. Consequently, there is a knowledge gap in identifying effective ways to address health disparities in coal-mining counties. To specifically address this knowledge gap, this study estimated the effect of living in a coal-mining county on non-malignant respiratory diseases (NMRD) mortality, and defined this as "coal-county effect." We also investigated what factors may accentuate or attenuate the coal-county effect.

METHODS

An ecological epidemiology protocol was designed to observe the characteristics of three populations and to identify the effects of coal-mining on community health. Records for seven coal-mining counties (n = 19,692) were obtained with approvals from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics for the years 2005 to 2012. Also requested were records from three adjacent coal counties (n = 10,425) to provide a geographic comparison. For a baseline comparison, records were requested for eleven tobacco-producing counties (n = 27,800). We analyzed the association of 57,917 individual mortality records in Virginia with coal-mining county residency, county-level socioeconomic status, health access, behavioral risk factors, and coal production. The development of a two-level hierarchical model allowed the coal-county effect to vary by county-level characteristics. Wald tests detected sets of significant factors explaining the variation of impacts across counties. Furthermore, to illustrate how the model estimations help explain health disparities, two coal-mining county case studies were presented.

RESULTS

The main result revealed that coal-mining county residency increased the probability of dying from NMRD. The coal-county effect was accentuated by surface coal mining, high smoking rates, decreasing health insurance coverage, and a shortage of doctors. In Virginia coal-mining regions, the average coal-county effect increased by 147% (p-value< 0.01) when one doctor per 1000 left, and the effect increased by 68% (p-value< 0.01) with a 1% reduction of health insurance rates, holding other factors fixed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a high mortality risk of NMRD associated with residents living in Virginia coal-mining counties. Our results also revealed the critical role of health access in reducing health disparities related to coal exposure.

Increased Dementia Mortality in West Virginia Counties with Mountaintop Removal Mining?

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is elevated in areas of mountaintop removal mining (MTM), a practice that has been ongoing in some counties of West Virginia (WV) USA since the 1970s. PM inhalation has been linked to central nervous system pathophysiology, including cognitive decline and dementia. Here we compared county dementia mortality statistics in MTM vs. non-MTM WV counties over a period spanning 2001–2015. We found significantly elevated age-adjusted vascular or unspecified dementia mortality/100,000 population in WV MTM counties where, after adjusting for socioeconomic variables, dementia mortality was 15.60 (±3.14 Standard Error of the Mean (S.E.M.)) times higher than that of non-MTM counties. Further analyses with satellite imaging data revealed a highly significant positive correlation between the number of distinct mining sites vs. both mean and cumulative vascular and unspecified dementia mortality over the 15 year period. This was in contrast to finding only a weak relationship between dementia mortality rates and the overall square kilometers mined. No effect of living in an MTM county was found for the rate of Alzheimer’s type dementia and possible reasons for this are considered. Based on these results, and the current literature, we hypothesize that inhalation of PM associated with MTM contributes to dementia mortality of the vascular or unspecified types. However, limitations inherent in ecological-type studies such as this, preclude definitive extrapolation to individuals in MTM-counties at this time. We hope these findings will inspire follow-up cohort and case-controlled type studies to determine if specific causative factors associated with living near MTM can be identified. Given the need for caregiving and medical support, increased dementia mortality of the magnitude seen here could, unfortunately, place great demands upon MTM county public health resources in the future.

Identification of the disturbance and trajectory types in mining areas using multitemporal remote sensing images

Surface coal mining disturbances affect the local ecology, human populations and environmental quality. Thus, much public attention has been focused on mining issues and the need for monitoring of environmental disturbances in mining areas. An automated method for identifying mining disturbances, and for characterizing recovery of vegetative cover on disturbed areas using multitemporal Landsat imagery is described. The method analyzes normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to identify sample points with multitemporal spectral characteristics ("trajectories") that indicate the presence of environmental disturbances caused by mining. A typical disturbance template of mining areas is created by analyzing NDVI trajectories of disturbed points and used to describe NDVI multitemporal patterns before, during, and following disturbances. The multitemporal sequences of disturbed sample points are dynamically matched with the typical disturbance template to obtain information including the disturbance year, trajectory type, and the nature of vegetation recovery. The method requires manual analysis of randomly selected sample points from within the study area to calculate several thresholds; once those thresholds are determined, the method's application can be automated. We applied the method to a stack of 26 Landsat images over a 32-year period, 1984 to 2015, for mining areas of Martin County KY and Logan County WV in eastern USA. When compared with the samples determined by direct interpretation, the method identified mining disturbances with 97% accuracy, the disturbance year with 90% accuracy, and disturbance-recovery trajectory type with 90% accuracy.

Spatial Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Street Dust of Coal Railway Transportation Hubs: A Case Study in Yuanping, China

Coal is a vital basic energy source in China, and rail serving is its major mode of transportation. Heavy metals in street dust surrounding the coal railway do harm to the environment and pose a potential risk to human health. This paper aims to identify the effects of coal transportation hubs on heavy metals in street dust. The geoaccumulation index and ecological risk index were used to assess the contamination levels of the following elements in Yuanping, Shanxi: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). The levels of contamination of these heavy metals in soils were compared to those in street dust, and the difference between the railway’s and mining’s impacts on dust’s heavy-metal concentrations was explored. The results indicated that Cr and Pb in street dust were mainly affected by coal railway transportation, and the interaction effect of coal railway transportation and mining was greater than either of them alone. A potential control and prevention zone for Cr and Pb extending 1 km to both sides of the railway was identified. This work proves that coal railway transportation has certain effect on heavy metals in street dust and provides a scientific approach for future environmental impact assessments of coal transportation via railway.

Shale gas development and infant health: Evidence from Pennsylvania

This research exploits the introduction of shale gas wells in Pennsylvania in response to growing controversy around the drilling method of hydraulic fracturing. Using detailed location data on maternal addresses and GIS coordinates of gas wells, this study examines singleton births to mothers residing close to a shale gas well from 2003 to 2010 in Pennsylvania. The introduction of drilling increased low birth weight and decreased term birth weight on average among mothers living within 2.5 km of a well compared to mothers living within 2.5 km of a permitted well. Adverse effects were also detected using measures such as small for gestational age and APGAR scores, while no effects on gestation periods were found. In the intensive margin, an additional well is associated with a 7 percent increase in low birth weight, a 5 g reduction in term birth weight and a 3 percent increase in premature birth. These results are robust to other measures of infant health, many changes in specification and falsification tests. These findings suggest that shale gas development poses significant risks to human health.