No ongoing lung issues in kids who were exposed to the Hazelwood coalmine fire as babies

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-01-15 03:00

Australia; VIC; WA; TAS

Photo by Meddy Huduti on Unsplash

Australian researchers have found no evidence of ongoing lung function changes in children who were exposed as babies to the Hazelwood coalmine fire in Victoria. The coal mine fire produced extreme air pollution that lasted for six weeks, leading to concern about its potential health effects. The researchers found that although lung function issues were seen in kids around 3 years after the fire, they appear to have resolved by the 7-year follow-up.

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Journal/
conference: Respirology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Tasmania, Telethon Kids Institute, Curtin University, CSIRO, The University of Melbourne, Monash University

Funder: This study is funded by the Victorian Department of Health (Australia).

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