A new study shows the lung health impact from the Hazelwood mine fire persists years later. 

Residents of the Latrobe Valley who were exposed to the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire are showing signs of accelerated lung ageing, according to a study conducted by Australian researchers. 

The fire, which engulfed the region in smoke for 45 days, has had long-lasting effects on the respiratory health of the local population.

Researchers conducted lung function tests on approximately 500 people, comparing those from Morwell, the town most affected by the smoke, with individuals from Sale, a nearby town that remained largely unaffected. 

These tests were carried out 3.5 to four years after the incident to assess any long-term impact.

The primary focus of the study was on ventilation heterogeneity, a measure of how evenly air mixes in the lungs. 

An increase in this metric can be indicative of accelerated lung ageing. 

The researchers discovered that those who had been exposed to the fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, from the mine fire exhibited significantly greater ventilation heterogeneity. This effect was comparable to an additional 4.7 years of lung ageing.

The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of affected populations and could inform future public health responses to similar incidents.