CBD haze returns to Melbourne as the city and suburbs cope with air pollution
The thick blanket of haze hovering over Melbourne is set to linger but what should you do about it, and does it mean for your health? Here are the key questions answered by experts.
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WHERE HAS IT COME FROM?
The smoke covering Melbourne has been pushed across from the bushfires in East Gippsland and the northeast of the state causing air pollution.
The Bureau of Meteorology said a northerly wind regime pushed the smoke into Melbourne.
HOW LONG WILL IT BE HERE?
BOM Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the smoke will ease in Melbourne tomorrow afternoon, but conditions for the rest of today and tomorrow morning would remain very hazy.
The EPA has Melbourne’s air quality currently rated as “very poor” after starting the day at the “hazardous” level. Ms Bradbury said the smoke would be pushed from the city as a cool change arrives with west and south-westerly winds.
Today’s air quality across the state will range from MODERATE to HAZARDOUS.
— EPA Victoria (@EPA_Victoria) January 13, 2020
EPA advises people in smoke affected areas to take care, stay indoors away from smoke where possible and limit exposure.
For latest air quality advice this morning visit https://t.co/WwKiubhoY6 pic.twitter.com/KXiGvu0J7i
WHAT DOES POOR AIR QUALITY MEAN?
EPA Victoria states: Air pollution is when there are harmful levels of gases or particles in the air. Polluted air can impact our health and environment.
Examples of air pollutants are carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and PM2.5 and PM10 particles.
In Victoria, air pollutants mainly come from industry, vehicles and wood burning.
WHAT ARE THE MOST AFFECTED AREAS?
Currently EPA Victoria rates the air quality in Dandenong, Box Hill, Mooroolbark, Alphington and Melton as “hazardous”.
The CBD and Geelong both started the day at the “hazardous” level, but have both since been downgraded to “very poor”.
Bushfire affected areas have been suffering poor air quality for weeks. Today Wangaratta and Orbost are both rated “hazardous”.
The best areas for air quality in the state are in the Wimmera and Mallee regions, and in the southwest. All three regions are rated as “moderate” by EPA Victoria.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS?
Associate Professor Louis Irving, Head of the Respiratory Service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital said the smoke carried suspended particles which can irritate the lungs and airwaves when breathed in, causing breathing problems and possible asthma attacks.
These same particles can also be absorbed in the blood with the potential to cause cardiac arrest.
Professor Irving said the risk is small, but studies have shown that call outs for cardiac arrests increase when air quality is poor.
Widespread smoke across central and eastern #Victoria today, including the #Melbourne area. Smoke haze will begin to clear western and central parts tomorrow afternoon, but is not expected to clear properly until Wednesday night. https://t.co/BQEpwrEDgw @EPA_Victoria pic.twitter.com/bJ9pUc7jKi
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 13, 2020
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
Professor Irving said people with predispositions to lung diseases such as asthma or chronic bronchitis were particularly at risk as breathing in the particles from the smoke could act as a trigger to a worsening of their conditions.
Older people were also more at risk and young babies as their lungs are still developing.
Vet behaviourist Dr Kersti Seksel said advice for animals was much the same as it is for humans: stay indoors and avoid vigorous exercise, particular for any particular old or young animals.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN?
For people who suffer asthma, the elderly and young children, the advice is to stay indoors. Professor Irving said if there were asthmatics who enjoyed daily outdoor exercise such as running, those people should “take a holiday from that today.”
For those who do not suffer from any respiratory problems, Professor Irving said staying inside and avoiding exercise was recommended.
In the event people are outdoors, reduced activity is recommended, and if masks are available to you they should be worn.
It is also recommended that if possible ensure air conditioners are set to recirculate instead of using the polluted outside air.
The Department of Transport is also urging drivers to be extra vigilant today. The Department said drivers should use their headlights on low beam and be particularly mindful of cyclists and pedestrians who may be less visible.
ARE MASKS HELPFUL?
Professor Irving said masks have the ability to reduce the ingestion of smoke particles, but emphasised that staying indoors remains the safest option to avoid smoke inhalation.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there was little evidence to suggest masks were the best prevention against smoke inhalation and could at times hinder a person’s ability to breathe, but did not discourage their use.
Professor Irving said any tradies working today should wear masks while on the job.
WHAT CLOSURES HAS THE SMOKE CAUSED?
Horse racing scheduled for today in Werribee has been cancelled due to the haze.
Tennis Australia has pushed back qualifying matches due to start at 10am and say they are constantly monitoring conditions.
The Kooyong Classic also begins today and no cancellations have been made as yet.
Several pools across Melbourne have closed, including the indoor pool at MSAC.
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