Impact of smoke from the Australia Bushfires on asthma

Between July 2019 and March 2020, Australia experienced an unprecedented number of bushfires known as the Black Summer Bushfires, particularly affecting populations in New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. The bushfire smoke caused a public health emergency, adding to the direct bushfire impacts already felt by communities, which saw major sporting matches, flights and outdoor events cancelled due to poor air quality. Bushfire smoke contains high concentrations of fine particulate matter, which is harmful to human health. The effects of smoke are unevenly distributed across the population, with people with asthma or other chronic conditions, very young children, pregnant women and the elderly particularly vulnerable to the impacts.

In response to the unfolding public health emergency caused by poor air quality, Asthma Australia developed and disseminated a survey to give a voice to people with asthma, and the broader community, about their experiences during the prolonged periods of bushfire smoke exposure. It included both quantitative and qualitative questions to provide insights into who was affected and how. The survey was open for six weeks and for anyone to complete, regardless of their asthma status. It was disseminated via Asthma Australia networks and media articles

Project related media: https://asthma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Resources/AA6_Smoke-Impact-Survey-1920_Revised.pdf