Released 01/11/2019
Canberrans are being advised that the smoke haze visible from fires burning in NSW and a possibility of raised dust coming from inland Australia may affect air quality this afternoon and over the weekend.
Currently the ACT Health Directorate’s air quality monitoring stations are registering slightly elevated smoke and dust particles. However, it is possible air quality may worsen at times over the weekend, so it is important to be aware.
People who are more sensitive to smoke and dust in the air, particularly those with asthma and other heart or lung conditions, should take extra precautions.
To minimise the health impacts of smoke and 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 outdoor exercise, and
- take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
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 throughout the day and over the weekend and will issue additional health advice if needed.
For further information on minimising the health impacts of smoke and dust, refer to our factsheets http://bit.ly/actsmoke-factsheet and http://bit.ly/ACTdust-factsheet.
- Statement ends -
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