The Northern Territory's two largest cities have recorded unhealthy levels of smoke pollution across Monday and Tuesday, with fuel-reduction burns and bush and grassfires pushing smoke haze across the region.
Data from the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA) shows that on Monday afternoon Darwin's air quality rose to unhealthy levels.
After dropping slightly, air quality again deteriorated to unhealthy levels early on Tuesday morning.
Palmerston's air quality over the same time was worse, with particles in the air reaching unhealthy levels for about five hours on Monday.
The satellite city, located south-east of Darwin, also saw air quality hover around unhealthy levels on Tuesday morning for about four hours, before improving again by mid-morning.
Both Darwin and Palmerston were also among Australia's top ten most polluted cities on Tuesday.
At one point, both cities recorded a PM2.5 concentration — which is a measure of the tiny particles usually found in smoke — nearly five times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline.
These types of fine particles can penetrate through the lungs and enter the body through the bloodstream, according to the WHO's guidelines, with potential impacts on all major organs.
The WHO also warns that exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Asthmatics warned to take precautions
Respiratory educator at the Asthma Foundation of the Northern Territory Sharron Hastie said smoke pollution was not healthy for anyone and was particularly bad for those with respiratory conditions.
She said official figures showed one in nine people across Australia had asthma, but the true figure could be a lot higher.
"A lot of people have asthma and don't realise it," Ms Hastie said.
"And there [are] a lot of people that had asthma when they were younger and think they have grown out of the symptoms. Unfortunately there is no cure, so if you have got it, you've got it."
Ms Hastie said there was an increase in referrals for asthma at this time of year, corresponding with an increase in smoke and dust in the air.
"They tend to end up at the emergency department or their doctors, and when they come in to see us they tell us this is their worst time of year," she said.
She urged people to monitor their symptoms on days of poor air quality and follow these simple steps:
- Avoid outdoor activities
- Wear a P2 mask
- Take an asthma puffer when going out
- Put air conditioners on the air-recycle mode
- Stay up to date with air-quality measures
- Follow an asthma action plan
- Call triple-0 in an emergency
Ms Hastie said asthma and most respiratory conditions should be relatively easy to manage and should not impact people's daily lives.
"If you are finding that it is getting worse and worse and you can't really do anything, then it's time to speak to your doctor or come and see us," she said.
"If your respiratory condition is well controlled, you should still be able to go about your daily life as you are unless the smoke is really bad."
