Curtin University-led research recently published in Heliyon estimates that there were 1454 avoidable deaths, which is roughly 1 person every 5 days, in Australian capital cities in the past two decades due to fine particle air pollution from extreme events such as dust storms, bushfires, industrial accidents, and wood heater smoke.
The study also found that close to one-third of deaths from extreme air pollution exposure days could be prevented if these events could be reduced by as little as 5%. Extreme air pollution events could seriously affect health in urban areas, highlighting the need for effective strategies to manage air quality, particularly during extreme weather events like bushfires and dust storms, which are becoming more common in warmer weather.
Monitoring PM2.5 levels
“Using data from 2001 to 2020 from air pollution monitoring sites, combined with a range of satellite and land use-related data, we modelled the exposure to exceptional levels of particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) for each extreme pollution exposure day,” said lead researcher Dr. Lucas Hertzog from Curtin’s World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Climate Change and Health Impact Assessment.
“Despite relatively low daily PM2.5 levels generally (compared to global averages), Australian cities experience days with extreme pollution levels where PM2.5 concentrations exceed the WHO Air Quality Guideline standard,” said Hertzog. “Sydney and Melbourne reported the highest number of deaths attributable to extreme air pollution events, with 541 and 438 deaths respectively, followed by Brisbane and Perth with 171 and 132 deaths.”
“Adelaide and Hobart were the cities that showed, across the 20-year period, fewer days exceeding WHO air quality exposure recommendations, with Adelaide recording only five days and Hobart 11 days above the threshold,” said Hertzog. “Darwin, despite its relatively low number of deaths due to PM2.5 exposure events, experienced a high number of days exceeding WHO recommendations, ten times more than cities like Melbourne.”
Effects of PM2.5
“Diseases associated with particulate matter air pollution include asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as well as cardiovascular disorders,” Dr Hertzog said.”Our study’s insights can aid in protecting public health by helping to inform policy development and actions to reduce impacts from extreme air pollution events.”
“While responding to bushfires and dust storms is an increasingly challenging task, authorities have a crucial role in land use management. They also regulate energy policy and control wood heater regulations. Additional strategies to reduce emissions from industrial accidents or road transport-related smog events could enhance the control of sources of air pollution and improve well-being.”
“It is also possible to reduce the burden of mortality by improving public health warnings and increasing community awareness of smoke avoidance behaviours.”
This article was written at the WHN News Desk
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