Bushfire Monitoring

Exposure to bushfire, smoke and asthma:

An ecological study using a MicroVol Low Volume Sampler

The Ecotech MicroVol low volume air sampler was used in a study to examine the relationship between the mean daily concentration of respirable particles arising from bushfire smoke and hospital presentations for asthma. The study involved using a MicroVol to assess daily PM₁₀ concentrations.

The ecological study was conducted in Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia) from 1 April – 31 October 2000, during a period characterised by minimal rainfall and almost continuous bushfire activity in the proximate bushland. The exposure variable was the mean atmospheric concentration of particles of 10 microns or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM₁₀) per cubic metre per 24-hour period.
The daily number of presentations for asthma to the Emergency Department of Royal Darwin Hospital.
The study showed a significant increase in asthma presentations with each 10-µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ concentration, even after adjusting for weekly rates of influenza and for weekend or weekday (adjusted rate ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09–1.34; P < 0.001). The strongest effect was seen on days when the PM₁₀ was above 40 µg/m³ (adjusted rate ratio, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.46–3.90), compared with days when PM10 levels were less than 10 µg/m³.

Conclusion:
Airborne particulates from bushfires should be considered as injurious to human health as those from other sources. Thus, the control of smoke pollution from bushfires in urban areas presents an additional challenge for managers of fire prone landscapes.

Note: Alternative methods of monitoring the effects of bushfire include the HiVol 3000 Dust samplers and the Aurora Nephelometer

The full paper can be found at: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_11_030602/joh10756_fm.html

Dust Samplers