Dr Johanna Feary
OH2025 - The Workplace Health Protection Conference
Tue, 17 Jun 2025
Dr Johanna Feary attended and did a talk on artificial stone silicosis at OH2025, The Workplace Health Protection Conference on Tuesday 17th June 2025 in Newcastle, UK.
Read more about the event at the conference website.
Read more about education and training we provide.
Publication on Grenfell Firefighters Study
Wed, 07 May 2025
The Grenfell Firefighters Study is a cohort study of firefighters from the London Fire Brigade to look at the medium and long term risks associated with firefighting, with a particular emphasis on cardiorespiratory health and cancer. The cohort includes both firefighters who did, and did not attend the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Recruitment began in late 2019 and finished in 2023.
Analysis of a subgroup of blood results looking at cancer biomarkers has now been published on Scientific Reports (Feary et al, 2025). Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants.
Read the full article.
Read more about our current research.
Analysis of lung function results is expected to be complete by 31/12/2025.
Relationship between cumulative silica exposure and silicosis: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Scoping review of exposure questionnaires and surveys in interstitial lung disease
Background Many interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) have clear causal relationships with environmental and occupational exposures. Exposure identification can assist with diagnosis, understanding disease pathogenesis, prognostication and prevention of disease progression and occurrence in others at risk. Despite the importance of exposure identification in ILD, there is no standardised assessment approach. Many questionnaires are in clinical and research use, yet their utility, applicability, relevance and performance characteristics are unknown.
Small airways obstruction and mortality: findings from the UK Biobank
Background
Small airways obstruction (SAO) is common in general populations. It has been associated with respiratory symptoms, cardiometabolic diseases, and progression to COPD over time. Whether SAO predicts mortality is largely unknown.
Research Question
Is spirometry-defined SAO associated with increased mortality?
Methods
Spirometry parameters used to define small airways obstruction in population-based studies: systematic review
Background
The assessment of small airways obstruction (SAO) using spirometry is practiced in population-based studies. However, it is not clear what are the most used parameters and cut-offs to define abnormal results.
Methods
The respiratory microbiome in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis is distinct from that of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) is a condition that arises after repeated exposure and sensitization to inhaled antigens. The lung microbiome is increasingly implicated in respiratory disease, but, to date, no study has investigated the composition of microbial communities in the lower airways in CHP.
Objectives: To characterize and compare the airway microbiome in subjects with CHP, subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and control subjects.
Validation of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recording in electronic health records: A systematic review protocol
Introduction Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience a sustained worsening in symptoms termed an acute exacerbation (AECOPD). AECOPDs impact on patients’ quality of life and lung function, are costly to health services and are an important topic for research. Electronic health records (EHR) are increasingly being used to study AECOPD, requiring accurate detection of AECOPD in EHRs to ensure generalisable results.
