Australia: 'Hazardous' air quality from bushfire smoke triggers spike in hospital admissions

By Melissa Davey

The blanket of smoke covering kilometres of Queensland and New South Wales as a result of prolonged bushfires has seen a spike in emergency department presentations for respiratory problems, but illnesses such as heart attack and stroke are also likely to be triggered from the ongoing air pollution.

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According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally are linked to ambient air pollution. One of the pollutants most strongly associated with air pollution is particulate matter, extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. During bushfires, particle pollution can reach high concentrations.

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But Australia’s elevated concentrations from fires are enough to affect people with existing respiratory, heart and neurological conditions. According to the NSW department of health, short-term exposure to particulate matter appears to exacerbate pre-existing diseases while long-term exposure most likely causes disease and increases disease progression. Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres are the most problematic, so small they can get deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream.

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“Heatwaves can also lead to increased presentations for conditions such as heatstroke, cardiac events and mental health issues,” he said. “This disproportionately affects some of our most vulnerable patients, including the elderly and children. It is also an equity issue, as people without insulated homes, or who are unable to afford air conditioning, are at increased risk.”

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