An Evaluation of the Impacts of the Closure of a Coking Operation on Local Residents – An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Abstract

Coke plant operations are known to generate high emissions of particulate matter, SO₂, heavy metals and volatile compounds. However, there’s limited published evidence for specific associations between cokeworks air pollution and negative health outcomes. Inducing a distinctive alteration of the local air pollution profile, the shutdown of the Shenango coke plant in PA, the US, in Jan 2016 has become an ideal case to study the impacts of air pollution improvements from air emission reductions.

In this work, we investigate whether the shutdown of the coke plant is associated with a significant improvement in air quality and a decline of the key elements in the industrial emissions. This will be followed by a test as to whether there is also a coincident reduction in respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

We have found statistically significant local reductions in ambient SO₂ concentrations after the intervention (p<0.001), as well as reductions in toxic heavy metals (Selenium, Cadmium and Arsenic) and particulate matter sulphate concentrations. Our study is therefore examining the trend of respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental disorders in local residents.

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Our study provides new evidence that interventions eliminating air pollution sources improve the air quality, and tests whether this improvement has health benefits, as well.