Bushfire smoke from Victoria and NSW causes ‘poor’ air quality in Tasmania

A southerly change is set to improve the “poor” air quality in Tasmania after heavy bushfire smoke from the mainland choked much of the state. Check out which areas were the worst affected.

TASMANIA usually has some of the cleanest air in the world but the thick smoke haze hovering over much of the state yesterday caused its quality to drop dramatically.

Hobart, Gretna, New Norfolk, Oatlands and Queenstown were among the areas given a “poor” air quality rating by the Environment Protection Authority as north to north-easterly winds pushed smoke from bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales down south.

However, improvements are on the way, with most of the smoke expected to clear as a southerly change crosses the state throughout today.

Hobart’s air quality was reduced to “poor” as the city was shrouded in smoke.

EPA Tasmania’s 40 air quality monitoring stations report the concentration of airborne particles in two fraction sizes — PM2.5 and PM10.

The Tasmanian Health Department has four air quality categories: Good (up to 10 micrograms per cubic metre), Fair (10 to 25 ug/m3), Poor (25 to 100 ug/m3) and Very Poor (over 100 ug/m3).

High concentrations of PM2.5, indicating elevated smoky conditions, taken at Hobart and Glenorchy peaked at 80 ug/m3 about 2pm yesterday.

Mornington on the Eastern Shore recorded the highest 10-minute average value of 91 ug/m3.

“Smoke concentrations in the southern Tamar, Central and Southern Tasmania increased from around 8am and peaked in the early afternoon,” EPA acting director Cindy Ong said.

Liam Ostapowicz, 20, of Lenah Valley, went fishing along the River Derwent as smoke from the bushfires made its way to Hobart. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Ms Ong said significantly elevated concentrations of smoke across large parts the state were unusual but not unheard of.

“The EPA’s monitoring stations in the Huon Valley recorded very high concentrations of smoke as a result of bushfires during January of 2019,” she said.

“Also, several stations across the state regularly record elevated concentrations of smoke from domestic wood heaters during the cooler winter months.”

While some dodged the smoke by staying indoors yesterday, others were unfazed, with Liam

Ostapowicz, of Lenah Valley, going fishing near the Regatta Grounds.

A tennis player competing at the Hobart International training in the smoky conditions. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Despite the River Derwent sometimes disappearing from view at the Domain Tennis Centre, no Hobart International games were interrupted because of smoke but rain caused some delays.

“Conditions around the air quality have been measured and the onsite medical team have advised that play is safe to continue,” Tournament director Daren Sturgess said.

“We will continue to monitor it regularly.”

Ambulance Tasmania did not see a spike in call-outs for respiratory issues but warned people with medical conditions, such as asthma, to continue taking precautions.

For more information about local air quality and the health impacts visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/trackairquality