Studies
This study compared data from a survey of 16,493 West Virginians with county-level coal production to investigate the relations between health and residential proximity to coal mining. The findings show that people living near coal mining operations are more likely to suffer from a variety of diseases including cardiopulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, lung disease, and kidney disease.
Hendryx, M. (2008) ”Relations Between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia.” American Journal of Public Health, 98: 669-71.
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This study tests whether residence in coal mining areas in Appalachia is a contributing factor to lung cancer. After adjusting for factors like smoking, poverty, education, age, sex, race, etc., results show higher rates of lung cancer mortality from 2000 – 20004 in areas of heavy coal mining. The authors state that “the set of socioeconomic and health inequalities characteristic of coal-mining areas of Appalachia highlights the need to develop more diverse, alternative local economies.”
Hendryx, M., K. O’Donnell and K. Horn. (2008) “Lung cancer mortality is elevated in coal-mining areas of Appalachia”. Lung Cancer. 62: 1-7.
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Hendryx found that the mortality rate in coal mining areas is equal to the nationwide mortality rate 24 years ago: “mortality rates for coal mining areas in 2004 are about the same as those for counties outside Appalachia from 1980.” After adjusting for a variety of factors (poverty, smoking, level of education, and race-related effects), coal mining areas of Appalachia still showed significantly higher age-adjusted mortality rates as compared to non-coal mining areas: “Appalachian coal mining areas were characterized by 1,607 excess annual deaths over the period 1999-2004.”
Hendryx, M. (2008) “Mortality rates in Appalachian coal mining counties: 24 years behind the nation”. Environmental Justice. 1, 1: 5-11.
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In this study, the authors found that the volume of coal mining has a significant impact on hospitalization risk, particularly for hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The findings of this study showed the odds for hospitalization for COPD increased 1% for each 1462 tons of coal produced and the odds of hospitalization for hypertension increased 1% for every 1873 tons. Both of these conditions are related to exposure to particulates and other pollution associated with coal mining. The authors also point out other effects of the production and consumption of coal including air pollution, occupational hazards, and global climate change.
Hendryx, M., M. Ahern, and T. Nurkiewicz. (2011) “Hospitalization Patterns Associated with Appalachian Coal Mining.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 70: 2064-70.
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