Improved asthma outcomes observed in the vicinity of coal power plant retirement, retrofit and conversion to natural gas

Joan A. Casey (), Jason G. Su, Lucas R. F. Henneman, Corwin Zigler, Andreas M. Neophytou, Ralph Catalano, Rahul Gondalia, Yu-Ting Chen, Leanne Kaye, Sarah S. Moyer, Veronica Combs, Grace Simrall, Ted Smith, James Sublett and Meredith A. Barrett
Additional contact information
Joan A. Casey: University of California
Jason G. Su: University of California
Lucas R. F. Henneman: Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Corwin Zigler: University of Texas
Andreas M. Neophytou: University of California
Ralph Catalano: University of California
Rahul Gondalia: Propeller Health
Yu-Ting Chen: Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness
Leanne Kaye: Propeller Health
Sarah S. Moyer: Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness
Veronica Combs: University of Louisville
Grace Simrall: Louisville Metro Office of Civic Innovation
Ted Smith: University of Louisville
James Sublett: Family Allergy & Asthma
Meredith A. Barrett: Propeller Health

Nature Energy, 2020, vol. 5, issue 5, 398-408

Abstract: Abstract Coal-fired power plants release substantial air pollution, which included over 60% of US sulfur dioxide emissions in 2014. Such air pollution may exacerbate asthma, but direct studies of the health impacts linked to power plant air pollution are rare. Here we take advantage of a natural experiment in Louisville, Kentucky, where one coal-fired power plant was retired and converted to natural gas, and three others installed SO2 emission control systems between 2013 and 2016. Dispersion modelling indicated that exposure to SO2 emissions from these power plants decreased after the energy transitions. We used several analysis strategies, which include difference-in-differences, first-difference and interrupted time-series modelling to show that the emissions control installations and plant retirements are associated with a reduced asthma disease burden related to hospitalizations and emergency room visits at the ZIP-code level, and to individual-level medication use as measured by digital medication sensors.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-0600-2

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