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Your Environment. Your Health.

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal An extreme bushfire smoke pollution event: Health impacts and public health challenges

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Author(s):
Kolbe A, Gilchrist KL
Year:
2009
Journal:
New South Wales Public Health Bulletin. 20 (2-Jan): 19-23
Abstract:

AIMS: To determine the health impacts of smoke and the effectiveness of public health advisories during a severe bushfire smoke event in Albury, NSW. METHODS: The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change provided PM(10) data. A computer-assisted telephone survey using random digit dialling was conducted following the smoke event to assess health impacts and the effectiveness of advisories. RESULTS: The smoke event lasted 38 days. The maximum daily PM(10) level was 415 microg/m(3). Public health advisories were based on alerts for air pollution issued by NSW Department of Health. From the survey, a total of 389 interviews were available for analysis. At least one health effect of the smoke was reported by 70% of respondents and 5% reported seeking medical treatment. Over 74% reported seeing, hearing or reading the health advisories. Behaviour change was significantly greater in this group (odds ratio = 2.74; 95% confidence interval 1.50-5.02). CONCLUSION: High rates of health effects may be experienced by populations exposed to bushfire smoke pollution. Public health advisories can support behaviour change to reduce exposure to bushfire smoke.

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Resource Description

Exposure What is this?

weather or climate related pathway by which climate change affects health

    Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    • Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Particulate Matter
    • Air Pollution, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Wildfire
Geographic Feature What is this?

resource focuses on specific type of geography

    General Geographic Feature
Geographic Location What is this?

resource focuses on specific location

    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Australasia
Health Impact What is this?

specification of health effect or disease related to climate change exposure

    Injury, Respiratory Impact
Resource Type What is this?

format or standard characteristic of resource

    Research Article
Special Topic What is this?

related topics that intersect with those captured in other filters

    Adaptation, Communication
    • Adaptation, Communication: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Early Warning System, Intervention, Resilience, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Communication: General Public/Unspecified, Health Professional
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