The Occupational Health Effects of Responding to a Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Among Emergency First Responders – Lincoln County, Kentucky, 2019

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess occupational health effects 1 month after responding to a natural gas pipeline explosion. Methods: First responders to a pipeline explosion in Kentucky were interviewed about pre- and post-response health symptoms, post-response health care, and physical exertion and personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the response. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between several risk factors and development of post-response symptoms. Results: Among 173 first responders involved, 105 (firefighters [58%], emergency medical services [19%], law enforcement [10%], and others [12%]) were interviewed. Half (53%) reported at least 1 new or worsening symptom, including upper respiratory symptoms (39%), headache (18%), eye irritation (17%), and lower respiratory symptoms (16%). The majority (79%) of symptomatic responders did not seek post-response care. Compared with light-exertion responders, hard-exertion responders (48%) had significantly greater odds of upper respiratory symptoms (aOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.25–7.50). Forty-four percent of responders and 77% of non-firefighter responders reported not using any PPE. Conclusions: Upper respiratory symptoms were common among first responders of a natural gas pipeline explosion and associated with hard-exertion activity. Emergency managers should ensure responders are trained in, equipped with, and properly use PPE during these incidents and encourage responders to seek post-response health care when needed.

Correction for geometric distortion in the flattened representation of pipeline external surface

“…Therefore, these two planes are tangent to the cross-sectional circle C . j Let the tangent points be P S j , 1 and P S j , 2 respectively, then the angles 1 q and 2 q formed by the tangent points are both right angles. Meanwhile, these two tangent points divide the cross-sectional circle C j into two arc segments, and it is easy to observe that the discrete points on the arc segment on the side closer to the camera's optical center O are visible to the camera while those on the other side are not visible.…”

“…When i q is greater than or equal to 90°, P S j i , is a visible discrete point, and conversely when i q is less than 90°, P S j i , is a non-visible discrete point. In the case shown in figure 5, the tangent points P S j , 1 and P S j , 2 are the visible critical points, P S j , 3 and P S j , 4 are the visible discrete point.…”

“…If this damage is not promptly detected and repaired, pipeline rupture may occur, resulting in material leakage, environmental damage, and economic loss. For instance, in August 2019, the Danville and Kentucky natural gas pipelines in the United States experienced an explosion due to external pipeline corrosion and hydrogen precipitation, which resulted in a natural gas leak of nearly 66 million cubic feet, one death, and the burning of nearly 30 acres of land and homes [1]. Therefore, these pipelines need regular inspection to ensure their safety.…”

Acoustic Pressure Simulation for Fluid Piping Leakages

“…For example, natural gas transmission pipeline incident in Danville, Lincoln County, Kentucky. The ruptured pipeline released about 66 million cubic feet of natural gas which ignited, resulting in the death of 1 person, the hospitalization of 6 people and the evacuation of 75 residents from the Indian Camp mobile home park [5]. Hence, early detections of pipe leaks are very crucial.…”