Deprem ve Akciğer

Abstract

Natural disasters cause extensive damage to nature and impact on large numbers of people throughout the world. Recently, earthquakes have caused a large number of death, injured, missing, and displaced people. More than a million earthquakes occur worldwide every year, which equates to roughly two earthquakes per minute. Lung problems in earthquakes are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Many pulmonary complications that occur after earthquakes are a direct result of the disaster itself. Pulmonary complications such as inhalation of dust and particulates from collapsed buildings in earthquakes, aspiration of water and pathogens due to tsunami after earthquakes, pulmonary thromboembolism, psychological effects caused by respiratory symptoms, infectious respiratory diseases and chest traumas such as pneumothorax, rib fracture, hemothorax, hemopneumothorax, diaphragmatic tear can develop after earthquakes. People in the earthquake area, search and rescue teams, and those involved in demolition and debris removal activities are at risk for asbestos exposure. The most effective solution against the lung effects of earthquakes is to take preventive and protective measures. It is very important for disaster preparedness and response teams to be aware of these problems. Respiratory problems that may arise in earthquakes were discussed in this review.

Impact of Earthquakes on Lung Health

“…Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in earthquake situations, and it is often the primary reason for hospital admissions in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, particularly within the first 24 hours. 12 Bulut et al 47 conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 645 earthquake victims in Türkiye following the 1999 Marmara earthquake. Most patients (77%) were hospitalized within the first 3 days after the earthquake, and approximately 10% of the individuals who sought medical attention at the hospital during the earthquake had chest traumas.…”

“…These impacts include the inhalation of dust, smoke, particulates, and other toxic gases; exposure to asbestos; respiratory infections; exacerbation of respiratory diseases; chest traumas; and venous thromboembolism ( Table 1 , Figure 1 ). 9 - 12 In nations where the building infrastructure boasts a high standard of quality, a considerable reduction is observed both in the number of individuals affected by the mentioned health effects and in the intensity of their impact. Consequently, it becomes evident that factors such as the quality of the building stock and the level of earthquake preparedness exert a more substantial influence on the emergence of health effects than the sheer magnitude of the seismic event itself.…”

Earthquake-Related Lung Diseases; A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications

“…This is due to population displacement, unsafe water and sanitation facilities, overcrowded and dysfunctional healthcare in affected areas, and low vaccination status (41). Living in an overcrowded environment after an earthquake is a common problem and may facilitate the transmission of infectious respiratory diseases (42,43).…”

Environmental Health Risks After the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake and Salient Mitigating Strategies: A Critical Appraisal

“…Moreover, there is a high risk of the outbreak of infectious diseases in the aftermath of an earthquake. 21 The destruction of sanitation facilities and the disruption of water supplies increase the likelihood of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. Additionally, overcrowding in temporary shelters can lead to the spread of airborne diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis.…”