Mar. 26--People living in West Virginia mining communities may have greater risk of chronic lung, heart and kidney diseases, a WVU study has found.
The study, "Relations between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia," uses data from two surveys to determine that living close to a coal mine is detrimental to health.
A health research phone survey from 2001, which polled more than 16,400 state residents, and a West Virginia geological and economic survey were used, said Dr. Michael Hendryx, co-author of the study and associate director of the WVU Institute for Health Policy Research.
By correlating information from the two surveys, Hendryx and coauthor Dr. Melissa Ahern -- of Washington State University -- determined a relationship between the increase in coal production and chronic illnesses.
Data from the study show people in coal mining communities in West Virginia have a 70 percent increased risk for developing kidney disease, a 64 percent increased risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- such as emphysema -- and are 30 percent more likely to report high blood pressure.
Other issues surrounding chronic illnesses, such as obesity, smoking, poverty, age and health insurance, were factored into the study. Even after adjusting for these, Hendryx said, higher rates of disease were found in coal mining communities.
Hospitalization and mortality rates were also researched. For example, the study shows there is a 1 percent increase in hospital stays related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for every 1,462 tons of coal in a community. Research also shows there are 313 deaths in West Virginia every year from coalmining pollution.
Hendryx said the study does not give specific reasons for why these illnesses occur, but he hopes to look into that with more research. He said he would like to research factors such as air and water quality in the communities. Coal mining towns are predominately located in southern West Virginia, he said.
Dr. Alan Ducatman, chairman of the department of community medicine at WVU, said, "The news with this study is that it suggests the increase in respiratory disease in a population may be directly related to the mines themselves and not just the socioeconomic status of the people."
He, along with Hendryx, said this study opens the door for further research.
"This brings up questions: Is it the pollution? Is it the mine transportation? Is it in the water?" Ducatman said. "The study raises wonderful questions.
"We've been hearing these stories for years, this is just new for welldone research on the subject."
The study will be published in the April issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
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