 |
|
|
Consumer Info
Air pollution health alerts
The NSW Department of Health has developed a system of health alerts that are based on the daily air quality monitoring reports issued by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. In this page, you can:
Current health alerts for the Sydney region are also available on the Bureau of Meteorology website.
How air quality affects your health
Research has shown that different air pollutants affect your health in different ways. For example, the pollutant ozone may be a problem for your lungs and airways, whereas fine particles can affect your lungs or your heart.
Different pollutants also vary in level at different times of the day and whether you are inside or outside.
The following table shows the health alerts for HIGH and
HAZARDOUS levels of various pollutants that the Department
of Environment & Conservation publishes each day.
| Pollutant |
Band |
Health impact |
Ozone |
HIGH |
Unhealthy for sensitive people, and could cause symptoms, especially in people with asthma. Levels will be lower indoors. People with asthma should avoid exercising outdoors. If you have symptoms of asthma, shortness of breath or cough, you should rest and use your reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice. |
| HAZARDOUS |
Anyone could develop symptoms, especially people with asthma. Levels will be lower indoors. Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible. If you have cough, wheeze or shortness of breath you should rest, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice. |
|
Nitrogen Dioxide |
HIGH |
People with asthma should watch for symptoms. If you have symptoms of asthma, shortness of breath or cough, rest and use your reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice. |
| HAZARDOUS |
Levels may be lower indoors. Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible. If you have cough, wheeze or shortness of breath you should rest, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice. |
|
Fine particles |
HIGH |
Unhealthy for sensitive people and could cause symptoms, especially people with heart or lung disease. Levels may be lower indoors. People with heart or lung disease should avoid exercising outdoors. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or cough, use your reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice. |
| HAZARDOUS |
Anyone could develop symptoms, especially people with heart or lung disease. Levels may be lower indoors. Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or cough, you should rest, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice. |
|
Ozone and fine particles |
HIGH |
Unhealthy for sensitive people and could cause symptoms, especially people with heart or lung disease. Levels may be lower indoors. People with heart or lung disease should avoid exercising outdoors. If you have symptoms of asthma, chest pain, shortness of breath or cough, use your reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice. |
| HAZARDOUS |
Anyone could develop symptoms, especially people with heart or lung disease. Levels may be lower indoors. Everyone should avoid outdoor exertion and stay inside as much as possible. If you have symptoms of asthma, cough, chest pain, wheeze or shortness of breath you should rest, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice. |
|
More information about air pollution and your health
NSW Department of Health - Factsheets and Publications
Links
|
