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

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

SUBMITTER: Cherry N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5621945 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature