The Department of Health has developed two fact sheets to help people stay safe and minimise the risk to their health from bushfire smoke.
In a statement, the Department said the fact sheets contained both general information and information specific to vulnerable groups who might be at increased risk due to pre-existing health conditions.
“We recognise that bushfires can result in air quality issues impacting large parts of the country,” Department said.
“Bushfire smoke can decrease air quality some distance away from, as well as close to, a fire front, as was evident during the 2019 and 2020 Australian bushfire season.”
The Department said smoke from bushfires was made up of gases, water vapour and coarse and fine pieces of ash, or particles. Another name for it was particulate matter.
These included PM10 (particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter that contributed to visible smoke haze) and PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter that were too small to see when breathed in).
“Although all pollution in the air from bushfire smoke has the potential to impact health, there is evidence that PM2.5 pollution is of greatest concern,” it
“States and Territories generally publish monitoring of PM2.5 pollution in near real time.”
The Department said anyone seeing or smelling bushfire smoke outside should stay inside when safe to do so.
“Remember to keep your windows and doors shut; avoid use of evaporative cooling as it draws external air into the house; use an air conditioner with a recycled air setting where possible and monitor the health of children, older people, and others at risk,” the Department said.
“Keep pets inside with clean water and food and keep pets’ bedding inside if possible,” it said.
“If safe to do so, visit alternate locations that have well-sealed and air-conditioned indoor environments, for example libraries and shopping centres,” it said.
