Effects of the Fort McMurray wildfires on the health of evacuated workers: follow-up of 2 cohorts.

Effects of the Fort McMurray wildfires on the health of evacuated workers: follow-up of 2 cohorts. CMAJ Open. 2017 Aug 15;5(3):E638-E645 Authors: Cherry N, Haynes W Abstract BACKGROUND: Wildfire engulfed Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 3, 2016, leading to a total evacuation. Access to 2 active cohorts allowed us to rapidly assess health effects in those evacuated. METHODS: People working in Fort McMurray who had been recruited before the fire for 2 occupational health cohort studies completed a questionnaire (online or via telephone) 3-26 weeks after evacuation. The questionnaire asked about respiratory and mental health and experiences since the fire. RESULTS: Of the 129 participants, 109 were in the Fort McMurray area on May 3. Thirty-seven (33.9%) of the participants who were in Fort McMurray on May 3 reported a health condition, including respiratory symptoms (n = 17) and mental ill health (n = 17), immediately after the fire. At follow-up, a mean of 102 days after the fire, 11 participants (10.1%) reported a fire-related health condition, including mental ill health (n = 8) and respiratory symptoms (n = 2). There was no difference before and after the fire in use of alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs or medication. One in 4 participants (32 [24.6%]) had not worked since the fire, and fewer than half (58 [44.6%]) had returned to Fort McMurray. Of the 90 participants evacuated, 15 (16.7%) had scores indicative o...
Source: cmaj - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: CMAJ Open Source Type: research