NSW Health has reminded people to once again be vigilant about their health as bushfire smoke continues to blanket Sydney.
The Director of Environmental Health at NSW Health, Richard Broome said the fire emergency engulfing many parts of the State meant the smoke haze was showing no sign of lifting in the near future.
Dr Broome said presentations to emergency departments – as well as calls for NSW Ambulance assistance – for asthma and breathing problems continued to be higher than normal for a third straight week across the State.
“Over the last week, there have been around 1,140 presentations, about 25 per cent more than the usual weekly average of around 900,” Dr Broome said.
“The largest increases have been in South Western Sydney Local Health District, which serves the region particularly affected by smoke over the last week,” he said.
“NSW Ambulance has fielded around 2,330 calls in the same period, around 30 per cent more than the average for the week of 1,780.”
Dr Broome said the statistics showed that smoke continued to have an impact on people’s health and reinforced the need for people to take steps to reduce their exposure
He said people with conditions like asthma, emphysema and angina were at greater risk because the smoke could trigger symptoms.
“NSW Health continues to recommend that people with these conditions should avoid outdoor physical activity when there’s smoke around.”
He said that with an increased number of people wearing a variety of dust face masks, it was important to consider the evidence relating to the masks.
“The main concern with smoke is the very fine PM2.5 particles, which are so small they pass through most types of mask,” he said.
“A P2 mask does filter out these particles, but is only effective if there is a good fit and an air-tight seal around the mouth and nose.”
Dr Broome said evidence had shown that an air-tight seal was difficult to achieve, so dust masks may not provide the benefit people were hoping for.
