What is it about?
The shutdown of the Shenango coking plant, a significant fossil-fuel pollution source located on an island in the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, PA, presented a "Natural experiment" opportunity to test for changes in respiratory health in the local community following the closure. We found the pollution reduction was associated with an immediate 20.5% (95% CI: 12.8%-27.6%) decrease in weekly respiratory ED visits, and an immediate 41.2% (95% CI: 14.4%-59.9%) decrease in pediatric asthma ED visits, followed by an additional longer-term downward trend. Longer-term reductions, as compared to pre-closure trends, were also observed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations.
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Why is it important?
Our study provides compelling confirmation that reductions in fossil-fuel-related air pollution produce both short and longer-term respiratory health benefits.
Perspectives
This study has wider implications than to the communities surrounding such industrial facilities because we are all exposed to fossil fuel related air pollution to varying degrees throughout our daily lives, with both acute and long-term adverse health impacts. This adds to the evidence that, as we transition away from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processing emissions, a healthier humanity will be achieved.
George Thurston
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reductions in Respiratory Hospital Visits after a Coal Coking Plant Closure: A Natural Experiment, American Review of Respiratory Disease, July 2025, American Thoracic Society,
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202410-2005oc.
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