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The costs of global warming are substantial. These include expenses from occupational illnesses and injuries (OIIs), which have been associated with increases during heatwaves. This study estimated retrospective and projected future heatwave-attributable OIIs and their costs in Australia. Climate and workers' compensation claims data were extracted from seven Australian capital cities representing OIIs from July 2005 to June 2018. Heatwaves were defined using the Excess Heat Factor. OIIs and associated costs were estimated separately per city and pooled to derive national estimates. Results were projected to 2030 (2016–2045) and 2050 (2036–2065). The risk of OIIs and associated costs increased during heatwaves, with the risk increasing during severe and particularly extreme heatwaves. Of all OIIs, 0.13% (95% empirical confidence interval [eCI]: 0.11–0.16%) were heatwave-attributable, equivalent to 120 (95%eCI:70–181) OIIs annually. 0.25% of costs were heatwave-attributable (95%eCI: 0.18–0.34%), equal to $AU4.3 (95%eCI: 1.4–7.4) million annually. Estimates of heatwave-attributable OIIs by 2050, under Representative Concentration Pathway [RCP]4.5 and RCP8.5, were 0.17% (95%eCI: 0.10–0.27%) and 0.23% (95%eCI: 0.13–0.37%), respectively. National costs estimates for 2030 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were 0.13% (95%eCI: 0.27-0.46%) and 0.04% (95%eCI: 0.66-0.60), respectively. These estimates for extreme heatwaves were 0.04% (95%eCI: 0.02–0.06%) and 0.04% (95%eCI: 0.01–0.07), respectively. Cost-AFs in 2050 were, under RCP4.5, 0.127% (95%eCI: 0.27-0.46) for all heatwaves and 0.04% (95%eCI: 0.01-0.09%) for extreme heatwaves. Attributable fractions were approximately similar to baseline when assuming theoretical climate adaptation. Heatwaves represent notable and preventable portions of preventable OIIs and economic burden. OIIs are likely to increase in the future, and costs during extreme heatwaves in 2030. Workplace and public health policies aimed at heat adaptation can reduce heat-attributable morbidity and costs. [Display omitted] • Limited research on expenses from work injuries and illnesses during heatwaves. • Assessment of heatwave-attributable occupational injuries, illnesses and costs. • Increased injuries and illnesses during heatwaves both retrospectively and future. • Costs increased during heatwaves, with some evidence for projected increases. • Climate adaptation can potentially reduce occupational burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2014, wildfires ignited a coal mine in Australia, burning for 6 weeks, releasing large amounts of fine particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM 2.5). We investigated the association between individual PM 2.5 exposure and emergency department presentations (EDPs) within 5 years post-fire. Survey and exposure data for 2725 residents from an exposed and unexposed town were linked with ED administrative data from 2009 to 2019. The association between individual PM 2.5 and EDPs was assessed using recurrent survival analysis. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 2.5 was associated with a 10% increase in respiratory EDPs (HR = 1.10; 95%CI:1.00–1.22) over 5 years post-fire. Increased risks of EDPs for ischaemic heart disease (HR = 1.39; 95%CI:1.12–1.73), atherothrombotic disease (HR = 1.27; 95%CI:1.08–1.50), and cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.10, 95%CI:0.99–1.22) were evident within 2.5 years. PM 2.5 exposure from a 6-week mine fire increased the 5-year risk of respiratory conditions. An increased risk of CVD within 2.5 years post-fire subsided after this time. • PM2.5 exposure from a 6-week mine fire increased the 5-year risk of respiratory related hospital emergency department presentations (EDPs). • An increased risk of cardiovascular related EDPs in the first 2.5 years post-mine fire, subsided after this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]