This advice has been provided by the NSW Department of Environment and is colour coded according to the Air Quality Category. These colour codes have been developed nationally and other jurisdictions will adopt these Categories over time. Specific advice is provided for people sensitive to air pollution.
Sensitive groups including:
Reduce outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath.
Consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better.
Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
No change needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath.
When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better.
Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance
Reduce outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath.
Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better.
If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so.
Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath.
When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better and reduce indoor activity.
If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so.
Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better.
If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Even at low levels, car and traffic exhaust, dust, smoke and industry emissions can impact your health when you’re outside. Although you can’t control the quality of the air outside, you can take simple steps to reduce how much pollution you breathe in. For sensitive groups, it’s important to follow medical advice and have access to medications and inhalers as recommended. Here are eight ways you can be AirSmart when you’re out and about.
Download the AirSmart App and opt-in for notifications, so you can be alerted when the air quality outside is poor so you can plan your daily activities and better protect your health.
When exercising, avoid busy or main roads or industrial areas. Whenever you cycle, run, walk or skate, try to use green spaces or back streets.
To reduce exposure to car and truck related pollution, set your car air conditioner to recirculate and close the windows when driving.
At school pick up time, park and walk to the gate to collect your kids. Try not to idle your car outside pick up zones where children gather as this can contribute to poor air quality. If possible, have your kids walk or ride a bike to school.
Arrange your activities to breathe in cleaner air. During cooler months, some parts of Australia are exposed to smoke from woodfire heaters, but it’s less common in the middle of the day than in the morning or evening.
Identify local sources of air pollution. Some people live near industrial areas, in mining communities, in areas where woodfire heaters are used, or close to bushland where hazard reduction burns or bushfires may occur. Being conscious of the risks in your local area will help you avoid or minimise exposure to air pollution.
If you don’t have access to local air quality information, use your senses and take action if you can see or smell smoke or dust. Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better. Run an air purifier if you have one. If you need to go out, wear a well-sealed P2 or N95 facemask. These masks are different to the surgical or cloth masks many people have been wearing to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, which will not protect you from air pollution.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
Download the AirSmart App and opt-in for notifications, so you can be alerted when the air quality outside is poor so you can plan your daily activities and better protect your health.
When exercising, avoid busy or main roads or industrial areas. Whenever you cycle, run, walk or skate, try to use green spaces or back streets.
To reduce exposure to car and truck related pollution, set your car air conditioner to recirculate and close the windows when driving.
At school pick up time, park and walk to the gate to collect your kids. Try not to idle your car outside pick up zones where children gather as this can contribute to poor air quality. If possible, have your kids walk or ride a bike to school.
Arrange your activities to breathe in cleaner air. During cooler months, some parts of Australia are exposed to smoke from woodfire heaters, but it’s less common in the middle of the day than in the morning or evening.
Identify local sources of air pollution. Some people live near industrial areas, in mining communities, in areas where woodfire heaters are used, or close to bushland where hazard reduction burns or bushfires may occur. Being conscious of the risks in your local area will help you avoid or minimise exposure to air pollution.
If you don’t have access to local air quality information, use your senses and take action if you can see or smell smoke or dust. Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better. Run an air purifier if you have one. If you need to go out, wear a well-sealed P2 or N95 facemask. These masks are different to the surgical or cloth masks many people have been wearing to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, which will not protect you from air pollution.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor.
We spend a lot of time inside our homes, so it’s important to make sure you’re breathing healthy air when inside. There are several common sources of indoor air pollution found in Australian homes including woodfire heaters, tobacco smoke, gas appliances such as stoves and heaters, cleaning chemicals, mould, and dust. Outdoor pollution can also make its way inside through vents and gaps around doors and windows. For sensitive groups, it’s important to follow medical advice and have access to medications and inhalers as recommended. Here are seven ways to be AirSmart at home.
Reduce sources of indoor air pollution, such as cigarette smoke, or smoke from woodfire heaters, candles or incense and gas appliances. Ventilate your home well during periods of the day when outdoor air quality is good.
Regularly clean floors, carpets, curtains and furniture, including mattresses. Dust mites and pet dander are common irritants that can trigger asthma attacks. If possible, choose a vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or opt for wet vacuums. Try and wash sheets at least weekly and don’t forget to wash pillows.
When using gas cooktops or heaters, ventilate well. Gas cookers and unflued gas heaters release nitrogen dioxide which is linked with asthma. When cooking, use a rangehood that directs fumes outside the home and open windows. Try not to have children in the kitchen while cooking with gas. Ensure your gas heater is flued to the outside.
If you can, switch to electrical appliances by replacing gas cooktops with electric or induction alternatives, and gas or woodfire heaters with efficient reverse cycle air conditioners.
Cleaning chemicals with strong odours – like bleach – aren’t good for the lungs, neither are strong chemicals in paints or glues. Look for cleaning and DIY products with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content; consider using anti-allergen or fragrance-free products; and wear a well-sealed P2 or N95 facemask during DIY or other activities that generates dust.
Remove any mould and mildew. Mould and mildew release spores that trigger allergic reactions. If you’re sensitive to mould and mildew, ask someone else to clean it away, and keep an eye on spots where mould or mildew grows in your home.
Make sure that any mechanical ventilation or air conditioning systems are well maintained and have clean filters. You may be able to invest in an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. When outdoor air is polluted, close the windows, turn the air purifier on, and/or set the air conditioner to recirculate.
Reduce sources of indoor air pollution, such as cigarette smoke, or smoke from woodfire heaters, candles or incense and gas appliances. Ventilate your home well during periods of the day when outdoor air quality is good.
Regularly clean floors, carpets, curtains and furniture, including mattresses. Dust mites and pet dander are common irritants that can trigger asthma attacks. If possible, choose a vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or opt for wet vacuums. Try and wash sheets at least weekly and don’t forget to wash pillows.
When using gas cooktops or heaters, ventilate well. Gas cookers and unflued gas heaters release nitrogen dioxide which is linked with asthma. When cooking, use a rangehood that directs fumes outside the home and open windows. Try not to have children in the kitchen while cooking with gas. Ensure your gas heater is flued to the outside.
If you can, switch to electrical appliances by replacing gas cooktops with electric or induction alternatives, and gas or woodfire heaters with efficient reverse cycle air conditioners.
Cleaning chemicals with strong odours – like bleach – aren’t good for the lungs, neither are strong chemicals in paints or glues. Look for cleaning and DIY products with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content; consider using anti-allergen or fragrance-free products; and wear a well-sealed P2 or N95 facemask during DIY or other activities that generates dust.
Remove any mould and mildew. Mould and mildew release spores that trigger allergic reactions. If you’re sensitive to mould and mildew, ask someone else to clean it away, and keep an eye on spots where mould or mildew grows in your home.
Make sure that any mechanical ventilation or air conditioning systems are well maintained and have clean filters. You may be able to invest in an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. When outdoor air is polluted, close the windows, turn the air purifier on, and/or set the air conditioner to recirculate.
You can start being AirSmart right now by downloading the free AirSmart app (Android and IOS). Asthma Australia’s AirSmart app gives you the information you need to be more in control of the air you breathe when you’re out and about, in the palm of your hand.
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We’d love to hear what you think of this campaign, your feedback on the AirSmart app and your experiences of air pollution in Australia.
This campaign is part of a broader program which includes working with government and other stakeholders to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve air quality. Your experience will assist us in this goal.