The murky thick smoke that is currently hanging over most of Sydney is leading to deteriorating air quality in several parts of the city.
Some areas are currently up to almost four times above what are considered “hazardous” levels.
And it may be several days before the smoke and haze eventually disappears.
OEH has just dropped Air Quality levels to poor for #Sydney & a number of other areas. While the inversion layer that’s trapping the smoke is starting to break up, light winds mean it may be serveral hours before it properly clears. Air quality alerts at https://t.co/t1o0KBRlZ8 pic.twitter.com/vVnrVkbLWQ
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) April 29, 2019
The NSW Government’s Air Quality Index (AQI) shows huge parts of Sydney are currently suffering from hazardous air quality, considered the most extreme.
This is when the index rises above 200.
Rozelle, Lindfield and Liverpool all registerd above 200 while Campbelltown was as high as 626.
The Government states prolonged spells of hazardous air pollution “can affect everyone’s health”.
Woke up to thick smoke haze over Sydney this morning, from essential burning off. It’s kind of eerily picturesque, though smells ghastly. Pity poor asthmatics – must be challenging for them … 😷@NSWRFS #Sydney #autumn #burningoff pic.twitter.com/cVcxH0HW7R
— Miriam Cosic (@miriamcosic) April 28, 2019
It’s recommended even people who consider themselves ‘healthy’ should avoid spending too much time on outdoor physical activities.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) told news.com.au a series of hazard reduction burns in the Southern Highlands and Colo Heights in the city’s north west, as well as the largest burn is in Heathcote were responsible for the poor conditions.
“Even those on the outskirts are actually quite large and produce a lot of smoke,” RFS spokesman Chris Garlick said.
City and SGC Haze#nswrfs #sydneysmoke pic.twitter.com/8RhJHYjufh
— The Faceless Men (@TheFacelessmen) April 28, 2019
