18 November 2004

New air quality alerts warn of health risks

NSW Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation have today started Australia’s most comprehensive air quality warning system to ensure the whole community can take action to stay healthy at times of low, medium and high air pollution.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, environmental health policy analyst for NSW Health confirmed that research has shown for some time that high levels of air pollution can exacerbate illness. More recently, evidence has emerged about how air pollution at much lower levels can also affect our health.

“Different groups of people can be sensitive to different types of air pollution,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“People with asthma can be affected by several pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide from car exhaust and industry, whilst people with heart disease may be more affected by fine particle pollution from wood burning and bushfires.

“Simple steps like alerting the community when air pollution is likely to be high, and the nature of the pollution, means we can target messages to different groups, and make a big difference to the health of thousands of people.

Dr Sheppeard said air pollution levels in the Sydney region are generally quite

low compared to large cities overseas. However, there are a number of days each year when people sensitive to the effects of air pollution are likely to feel its impacts.

“Extreme episodes of air pollution, such as during prolonged bushfires, can affect everyone's health. With summer approaching, it is the perfect time to have an alert system in place.

The air quality alerts are based on information routinely collected by the Department of Environment and Conservation against national standards for pollutants, including fine particles and ozone.

“This system, which is similar to those that have been trialled successfully in Europe and the US, is the most comprehensive of its kind in Australia.

“From today onwards, when high air pollution days are forecast, an alert will be issued to the media and posted on the Department of Environment and Conservation's website. The alert will predict the level of risk to sensitive individuals and suggest simple ways for these people to reduce their exposure and manage impacts.

“In much the same way we look at the daily weather forecast and plan our day, the air quality alerts will help people plan activities around expected air pollution levels and take action to minimise health impacts,” Dr Sheppeard said.

'High' air pollution days are more likely to affect people with those health conditions which can be exacerbated by air pollution, like asthma, respiratory and heart conditions.

'Hazardous' air pollution days - like those experienced in severe bushfires - apply to everyone. However patients with pre-existing diseases are more likely to suffer adverse effects.

Under the new system, people will also be able to ring a free-call help line for all the latest information on air pollution forecasts.

Simple steps to take to protect yourself against air pollution:

• Plan activities when you know air pollution levels are lower – if you are sensitive to pollution try exercising in the mornings or indoors on summer days.
• Change your activity level – if pollution is high, reduce how much air you breathe by choosing to walk instead of jog.
• Listen to your body – if you feel symptoms during exercise, stop or find a less demanding activity and make sure your reliever medication is at hand.
• Create a clean indoor air zone – don’t allow tobacco smoke inside your house, use electric or flued gas heating, and choose low emission paints.
• Talk with your doctor – if you have symptoms during a certain activity, ask your doctor if air pollution could be affecting you.

Related links:

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au