Mapping the Morbidity Risk Associated with Coal Mining in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

The populations in the vicinity of surface coal mining activities have a higher risk of morbidity due to diseases, such as cardiovascular, respiratory and hypertensive diseases, as well as cancer and diabetes mellitus. Despite the large and historical volume of coal production in Queensland, the main Australian coal mining state, there is little research on the association of coal mining exposures with morbidity in non-occupational populations in this region. This study explored the association of coal production (Gross Raw Output—GRO) with hospitalisations due to six disease groups in Queensland using a Bayesian spatial hierarchical analysis and considering the spatial distribution of the Local Government Areas (LGAs). There is a positive association of GRO with hospitalisations due to circulatory diseases (1.022, 99% CI: 1.002–1.043) and respiratory diseases (1.031, 95% CI: 1.001–1.062) for the whole of Queensland. A higher risk of circulatory, respiratory and chronic lower respiratory diseases is found in LGAs in northwest and central Queensland; and a higher risk of hypertensive diseases, diabetes mellitus and lung cancer is found in LGAs in north, west, and north and southeast Queensland, respectively. These findings can be used to support public health strategies to protect communities at risk. Further research is needed to identify the causal links between coal mining and morbidity in non-occupational populations in Queensland.

Estimating spatial disease rates using health statistics without geographic identifiers

“…This is particularly important in studies at a geographical level because of the potential risk of ecological bias, where confounding factors at the group level can produce spurious associations. The use of statistic techniques such as the design of mixed-effects spatial regressions using the spatial units as the random effects can reduce the risk of ecological bias (Cortes-Ramirez et al, 2022;Wakefield, 2009). This can be used in combination with the calculation of rates presented in this study and extended to identify potentially associated risk factors by designing further multivariate analyses.…”

Implementasi Proses Reklamasi Melalui Monitoring Dan Penilaian Lingkungan Lahan Bekas Tambang Pt X, Kalimantan Timur Tahun 2022

“…Kegiatan pertambangan batu bara juga berdampak terhadap risiko morbiditas yang lebih tinggi pada penyakit kardiovaskuler, pernapasan dan hipertensi pada masyarakat disekitarnya. Hasil penelitian lainnya menyebutkan, adanya hubungan positif produksi batu bara dengan peningkatan risiko penyakit (Cortes-Ramirez et al, 2022).…”

Are Iron Tailings Suitable for Constructing the Soil Profile Configuration of Reclaimed Farmland? A Soil Quality Evaluation Based on Chronosequences

“…These overburdened materials mostly consist of large boulders, loose rock fragments and tailings, devoid of organic matter and nutrients, which are left unmanaged and create environmental pollution, commonly known as “mine spoil” [ 5 , 6 ]. Solid wastes such as mine spoil, if not properly treated and reused, would cause serious pollution to the environment and health risks [ 7 , 8 ]. Solid waste was a misplaced resource, and the level of recycling of resources is one of the important signs of social progress and a pathway toward green and sustainable development [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”