Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T08:00:08.173Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 September 2021

David P. Bui Open the ORCID record for David P. Bui [Opens in a new window] ,
Esther A. Kukielka Open the ORCID record for Esther A. Kukielka [Opens in a new window] ,
Erin F. Blau ,
Lindsay K. Tompkins ,
K. Leann Bing ,
Charles Edge ,
Rebecca Hardin ,
Diane Miller ,
James House  and
Tegan Boehmer
...Show all authors
David P. Bui*
Affiliation:
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Esther A. Kukielka
Affiliation:
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Office of Emergency Management, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Erin F. Blau
Affiliation:
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, USA
Lindsay K. Tompkins
Affiliation:
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
K. Leann Bing
Affiliation:
Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA
Charles Edge
Affiliation:
Office of Emergency Management, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Rebecca Hardin
Affiliation:
Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, USA
Diane Miller
Affiliation:
Lincoln County Health Department, Stanford, KY, USA
James House
Affiliation:
Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, USA
Tegan Boehmer
Affiliation:
Office of the Director, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Andrea Winquist
Affiliation:
Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Maureen Orr
Affiliation:
Office of Innovation and Analytics, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA
Renée Funk
Affiliation:
Office of Emergency Management, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Doug Thoroughman
Affiliation:
Kentucky Department for Public Health, Frankfort, KY, USA Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Division of State and Local Readiness, Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
*
Corresponding author: David Bui, Email: pgz2@cdc.gov
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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.

Keywords

emergency respondernatural gaspipelineexplosionoccupational healthfirefighteremergency management
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 5 , October 2022 , pp. 1997 - 2004
Copyright
© Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2021. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Natural gas summary. July 30, 2021. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_sum_lsum_dcu_nus_m.htm. Accessed January 28, 2020.Google Scholar
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Pipeline incident 20 year trends. Updated November 5, 2019. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/data-and-statistics/pipeline/pipeline-incident-20-year-trends. Accessed January 8, 2020.Google Scholar
Pipeline Association for Public Awareness. Pipeline emergency response guidelines. 2019. https://pipelineawareness.org/media/1537/2019-pipeline-emergency-response-guidelines.pdf. Accessed January 28, 2020.Google Scholar
Xue, J, Li, Y, Peppers, J, et al. Ultrafine particle emissions from natural gas, biogas, and biomethane combustion. Environ Sci Technol. 2018;52(22):13619-13628. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Elder, A, Oberdörster, G. Translocation and effects of ultrafine particles outside of the lung. Clin Occup Environ Med. 2006;5(4):785-796. doi: 10.1016/j.coem.2006.07.003.Google ScholarPubMed
National Transportation Safety Board. Pipeline Accident Reports. Preliminary report pipeline: Enbridge Inc. natural gas pipeline rupture and fire. Danville, Kentucky. 2019. https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/PLD19FR002-preliminary-report.aspx. Accessed January 28, 2020.Google Scholar
United States Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Lincoln County, Kentucky. U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lincolncountykentucky. Accessed January 6, 2020.Google Scholar
Awareness PAfP. Recommended minimum evacuation distances for natural gas pipeline leaks and ruptures. 2020. https://pipelineawareness.org/media/1117/evacuation-distances-for-natural-gas.pdf. Accessed January 9, 2020.Google Scholar
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ACE Toolkit. 2020. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ntsip/ace_toolkit.html. Accessed January 2, 2020.Google Scholar
Duncan, MA, Orr, MF. Toolkit for epidemiologic response to an acute chemical release. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2016;10(4):631-632. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2015.187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borg, GA. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;14(5):377-381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scherr, J, Wolfarth, B, Christle, JW, et al. Associations between Borg’s rating of perceived exertion and physiological measures of exercise intensity. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013;113(1):147-155. doi: 10.1007/s00421-012-2421-x.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. PPE for emergency response and recovery workers. Updated September 11, 2020. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/gettingstarted_ppe.html. Accessed September 11, 2020.Google Scholar
Melnikova, N, Wu, J, Yang, A, Orr, M. Acute chemical incidents with injured first responders, 2002-2012. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2018;12(2):211-221. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2017.50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greven, FE, Rooyackers, JM, Kerstjens, HAM, Heederik, DJ. Respiratory symptoms in firefighters . 2011;54(5):350-355. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20929.Google ScholarPubMed
Brinker, K, Lumia, M, Markiewicz, KV, et al. Assessment of emergency responders after a vinyl chloride release from a train derailment – New Jersey, 2012. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;63(53):1233-1237.Google ScholarPubMed
Hartzell, GE. Overview of combustion toxicology. Toxicology. 1996;115(1–3):7-23. doi: 10.1016/s0300-483x(96)03492-0.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stefanidou, M, Athanaselis, S, Spiliopoulou, C. Health impacts of fire smoke inhalation. Inhal Toxicol. 2008;20(8):761-766. doi: 10.1080/08958370801975311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burgess, JL, Nanson, CJ, Hysong, TA, et al. Rapid decline in sputum IL-10 concentration following occupational smoke exposure. Inhal Toxicol. 2002;14(2):133-140. doi: 10.1080/089583701753403953.Google ScholarPubMed
Main, LC, Wolkow, AP, Tait, JL, et al. Firefighter’s acute inflammatory response to wildfire suppression. J Occup Environ Med. 2020;62:145-148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Swiston, JR, Davidson, W, Attridge, S, et al. Wood smoke exposure induces a pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response in firefighters. Eur Respir J. 2008;32(1):129-138. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00097707.Google ScholarPubMed
Gianniou, N, Giannakopoulou, C, Dima, E, et al. Acute effects of smoke exposure on airway and systemic inflammation in forest firefighters. J Asthma Allergy. 2018;11:81-88. doi: 10.2147/jaa.S136417.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burgess, JL, Nanson, CJ, Bolstad-Johnson, DM, et al. Adverse respiratory effects following overhaul in firefighters. J Occup Environ Med. 2001;43(5):467-473. doi: 10.1097/00043764-200105000-00007.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Terrill, JB, Montgomery, RR, Reinhardt, CF. Toxic gases from fires. Science. 1978;200(4348):1343-1347. doi: 10.1126/science.208143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chapter 6: inhalation rates. In: Exposure Factors Handbook 2011 Edition (Final Report). Washington, DC: U.S. EPA; 2011.Google Scholar
Qin, F, Yang, Y, Wang, ST, et al. Exercise and air pollutants exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Life Sci. 2019;218:153-164. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.12.036.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zhang, Z, Hoek, G, Chang, LY, et al. Particulate matter air pollution, physical activity and systemic inflammation in Taiwanese adults. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2018;221(1):41-47. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.10.001.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dong, J, Zhang, S, Xia, L, et al. Physical activity, a critical exposure factor of environmental pollution in children and adolescents health risk assessment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(2):176 doi: 10.3390/ijerph15020176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Giles, LV, Koehle, MS. The health effects of exercising in air pollution. N Z J Sports Med. 2014;44(2):223-249. doi: 10.1007/s40279-013-0108-z.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
U.S. Department of Transportation. 2016 Emergency response guidebook. USDOT: Washington D.C. 2016.Google Scholar
Austin, CC, Dussault, G, Ecobichon, DJ. Municipal firefighter exposure groups, time spent at fires and use of self-contained-breathing-apparatus . Am J Ind Med 2001;40(6):683-692. doi: 10.1002/ajim.10023.Google ScholarPubMed
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Use of respiratory protection among responders at the World Trade Center site – New York City, September 2001. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51(Spec No):6-8.Google Scholar
Hopwood, DG, Guidotti, TL. Recall bias in exposed subjects following a toxic exposure incident. Arch Environ Health. 1988;43(3):234-237. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1988.9934939.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peduzzi, P, Concato, J, Kemper, E, et al. A simulation study of the number of events per variable in logistic regression analysis. J Clin Epidemiol. 1996;49(12):1373-1379. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-4356(96)00236-3.Google ScholarPubMed
Benedek, DM, Fullerton, C, Ursano, RJ. First responders: mental health consequences of natural and human-made disasters for public health and public safety workers. Annu Rev Public Health. 2007;28:55-68. doi: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144037.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Supplementary material: File

Bui et al. supplementary material

Bui et al. supplementary material

Download Bui et al. supplementary material(File)
File 242.6 KB