Smoke and dust health action levels explained
Dust particles vary in size from coarse (non-inhalable), to fine (inhalable), and to very fine (respirable). Coarse dust particles generally only reach as far as the inside of the nose, mouth or throat. However, smaller or fine particles can get much deeper into the sensitive regions of the respiratory tract and lungs.
Health action levels are recommendations developed by Queensland Health to support and inform the community on actions to take to protect their health during a smoke or dust event.
The health action levels are based on hourly PM2.5 (fine particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or smaller) measurements and provide separate advice on preventative actions for the general public and for individuals who are potentially more sensitive.
Sensitive groups include:
- people with a heart or lung condition, including asthma
- people over the age of 65
- infants and children
- pregnant women
- people with diabetes.
However, everybody should minimise time spent in smoky conditions whenever practicable.
The health advice for each level is based on the latest research about how air pollution affects people’s health.
The actions help people know what to do to protect their own health, and the health of others they care for, in that situation.
Please note that a health action level is only provided for monitoring stations where PM2.5 is measured.
The actions below are recommendations only. Follow directions from emergency services and advice from your doctor at all times. If you are feeling unwell, please seek medical advice from a doctor, or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice.
Health action level 1—good PM2.5 concentrations 0–12.5µg/m3
Air pollution is at its usual background levels
- Sensitive groups
- No change is needed to your normal outdoor activities.
- Everyone else (general community)
- No change is needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Health action level 2—fair PM2.5 concentrations 12.5–25µg/m3
Air pollution is at its usual background levels
- Sensitive groups
-
Keep track of conditions and be prepared to take action if air quality worsens.
Monitor any health conditions.
- Everyone else (general community)
-
No change is needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Health action level 3—poor PM2.5 concentrations 25–50µg/m3
The air is likely to be dusty or smoky.
- Sensitive groups
-
Consider taking steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the following strategies:
- Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
- Keep track of conditions and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality improves
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one
- Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek your doctor’s advice if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask
- If it is safe to do so, go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre)
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor
- If you are concerned about symptoms call 13 HEALTH or see your doctor
- If you, or anyone in your care, has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.
- Everyone else (general community)
-
Keep track of conditions.
Consider taking steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air if poor conditions persist for more than one day.
Health action level 4—very poor PM2.5 concentrations 50–150µg/m3
The air is very dusty or smoky.
- Sensitive groups
-
Take action to reduce your exposure to polluted air, especially if you have a medical condition that is not well-controlled. Use one or more of the following strategies:
- Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
- When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality improves
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one
- Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek your doctor’s advice if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask
- If it is safe to do so, go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre)
- Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor
- If you are concerned about symptoms call 13 HEALTH or see your doctor
- If you, or anyone in your care, has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.
- Everyone else (general community)
-
Consider the following actions during a smoke event to reduce your exposure to polluted air:
- Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
- Keep track of conditions and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality improves
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one
- Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek your doctor’s advice if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask
- If it is safe to do so, go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre)
Health action level 5—extremely poor PM2.5 concentrations >150µg/m3
The air is very dusty or smoky.
- Sensitive groups
-
Take action to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the following strategies:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better and reduce indoor activity
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one
- Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask
- If it is safe to do so, go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre)
- Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor
- If you are concerned about symptoms call 13 HEALTH or see your doctor
- If you, or anyone in your care, has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.
- Everyone else (general community)
-
Take action to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the following strategies:
- Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality improves
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one
- Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask
- If it is safe to do so, go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre)
- If you are concerned about symptoms call 13 HEALTH or see your doctor
- If you, or anyone in your care, has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.
