Released 25/10/2019
Canberrans are being advised air quality is currently at poor levels in the ACT due to atmospheric dust.
ACT Health Directorate’s air quality monitoring stations are now registering high levels of dust particles, reducing the air quality to poor.
The dust event is forecast to continue overnight, with the possibility air quality could deteriorate further over the next several hours, before returning to normal conditions on Saturday morning.
The community, in particular those with asthma and other heart or lung conditions, is advised to take the following precautions to minimise health impacts of dust:
- stay indoors, with windows and doors closed;
- stay in air-conditioned premises if possible and switch the air-conditioner to ‘recycle’ or ‘recirculate’ to reduce the amount of dust entering the building. Only use an evaporative cooler if the system is filtered;
- avoid all vigorous exercise, especially if you have a heart or lung condition; and
- if it is safe to do so, check on elderly neighbours or other people who you think might need extra help.
Anyone with concerns about their health should seek medical advice from their health practitioner, and anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing should seek urgent medical assistance.
In the event of a medical emergency call triple zero 000.
ACT Health Directorate will continue to monitor the air quality in the ACT and will advise the public if additional public health advice is warranted.
For further information on minimising the health impacts of dust, refer to our dust fact sheet: http://bit.ly/ACTdust-factsheet
Further information on weather conditions is at: www.bom.gov.au
- Statement ends -
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