Bushfire smoke

Bushfire smoke can reduce air quality in rural and urban areas and may affect people's health.

This fact sheet provides information on bushfire smoke, how it can affect you and your family's health, and actions that you can take to avoid or reduce potential health effects.

Bushfire smoke – what is it?
Bushfire smoke contains particles of different sizes, water vapour and gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The larger particles are visible to the eye and contain burning debris, embers and so on. These particles contribute to the visible haze when a fire is burning. They are generally too large to be breathed deeply into the lungs, but can irritate the nose and throat.

In comparison, the finer particles (one-thirtieth the width of an average human hair) and gases are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs.

How can bushfire smoke affect my health?
How smoke affects you depends on your age, pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease, and the length of time you are exposed to the smoke.

Signs of smoke irritation include itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose and coughing. Healthy adults usually find that these symptoms from a short exposure to smoke clear up once the smoke goes away.

Children, the elderly, smokers and people with pre-existing illnesses such as heart or lung conditions (including asthma) are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in fine particles. Symptoms may worsen and include wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

It is very important that people with pre-existing health conditions take their medication, follow their treatment plan and seek immediate medical advice if symptoms persist.

Facemasks – issues to consider
Paper dust masks, handkerchiefs and bandannas do not filter out fine particles from bushfire smoke and are not useful in protecting your lungs.

Special masks (called ‘P1’ or ‘P2’) filter bushfire smoke. providing a greater protection against inhaling fine particles. They are available at most hardware stores.

However, before deciding to wear a mask you should understand that:

• They can be hot and uncomfortable to wear.
• They can make it harder for you to breathe normally. Anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition should seek medical advice before they use them.
• If the seal around the face and mouth is poor, the mask is much less effective (men should be clean shaven to get a good seal).
• The masks do not filter out gases such as carbon monoxide.
• It is better to stay indoors, away from the smoke, unless you cannot avoid working outdoors.

• Avoid physical activity outdoors. (Exercise lets more fine particles to be breathed deeper into the lungs). People with pre-existing lung or heart conditions, in particular, should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke.
• Close windows and doors when indoors. Switch your air-conditioner to ‘recycle or recirculate’ to reduce smoke coming inside.
• When indoors, minimise other sources of air pollution and cigarette smoke or burning candles, using unflued gas appliances, woodstoves and stirring up fine dust from sweeping or vacuuming.
• If your home gets too hot to be comfortable, or is letting in outside air, try to take an air-conditioned break at a local community library or shopping centre. If there is a break in smoky conditions, take the opportunity to air out your home to improve indoor air quality.
• Anyone with a lung or heart condition should keep at least five days supply of medication on hand. Those with asthma should follow their personal asthma plan.
• Anyone experiencing breathing difficulty or chest pain should seek urgent medical assistance.
• If you do not have an air conditioner, take steps to reduce heat stress, especially in the very young, people who are unwell or the elderly.
• For local updates on fire and smoke conditions, listen to your local radio station or watch television. Contact the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. (TTY for the deaf call 1800 555 677, then ask for 1800 240 667).
• When smoke conditions become ‘hazardous’, everyone should rest indoors and avoid outdoor activity as much as possible. Outdoor sporting events should be postponed. Sensitive individuals should consider temporarily staying with a friend or relative outside the smoke-affected area.

• Your doctor
• Your local council’s Environmental Health Section
• Bushfire Information Line Tel. 1800 240 667 (TTY for the deaf – 1800 122 969)
• Environmental Health Unit, Department of Health Victoria Tel. 1300 761 874
• Country Fire Authority www.cfa.vic.gov.au – for information on preparing for bushfire safety

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