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The Ballarat region has woken to a less smoky environment after air quality improved overnight.
Between 5pm and 8pm on Monday the air quality at Melton, the closest point to Ballarat where the Environment Protection Authority measures pollution levels, the air was deemed hazardous.
At hazardous levels everyone can experience symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath, and people with respiratory illnesses are at much greater risk of a deterioration in their health.
From about 3am the smoke levels fell and the air quality was deemed good.
But with south to south easterly winds forecast throughout the day there's every chance the smoke could return, with the EPA's chief scientific officer Dr Andrea Hinwood saying on Monday that most of the smoke shrouding Ballarat and Melbourne was actually being drawn up from Tasmania and East Gippsland.
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Ballarat's smoky shroud is expected to continue throughout Tuesday and possibly Wednesday prompting health warnings for residents and visitors across the region.
Winds have drawn bushfire smoke from Tasmania, East Gippsland and the north east across Melbourne and Ballarat, with Ballarat's air quality deteriorating from poor to very poor on Monday afternoon.
The smell of smoke in the air was noticeable as people woke on Monday morning, with smoke beginning to waft across the city from about 3am.
According to the Environment Protection Authority's air monitoring system, the air quality at Melton, the closest air monitoring point to Ballarat, dropped to poor from about 7am. By 1pm it was deemed very poor and continued to deteriorate throughout the afternoon.
EPA chief environmental scientist Dr Andrea Hinwood urged people to take precautions, saying the smoke would linger until at least Wednesday.
Shortly after 5pm on Monday the visibility in Ballarat was so impaired by the smoke that the northern edge of Lake Wendouree was barely visible from the southern side, and several cyclists around the lake were seen wearing face masks on their training rides.
Ballarat Health Service's director of emergency Dr Pauline Chapman said the smoke was impacting on many people in the Ballarat region.
"We expect to see an increase in the number of patients presenting with exacerbations of their respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema," Dr Chapman said.
"For those with respiratory illness we advise that unless vital that you remain inside whilst the smoke is at its worst and limit your activities. I would encourage those who are experiencing worsening symptoms not to try and sit it out but to seek medical advice or treatment in a timely manner," she said.
Dr Chapman said people particularly at risk were small children, the elderly, pregnant women, smokers and those with respiratory illnesses.
"The ED is well equipped to deal with these issues, and whilst we may be busy we do have a system that allows the sickest to be seen first. People can also attend their GP or a local pharmacy for advice and to stock up on their regular medications if running low," she said.
Dr Chapman said people should close windows and stay indoors as much as possible, take it easier than normal and slow down and take care on the roads with the reduced visibility.
"The smoke will persist for days and weeks to come so people must be prepared to learn to manage the conditions but the advice is particularly pertinent for high levels of smoke haze," she said.
Victoria's chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said fabric face masks were of little use to combat the bushfire smoke, but P2 and N95 masks with valves and filters available from hardware stores could be of use for some people.
"Those face masks can filter particles ... and can be a useful addition and protection especially if temporarily relocating to better air quality or if forced to be outside for work or other purposes.
"They're not for everyone. They need to be fitted properly. If they're not fitted properly, they're not working," he said.
"If not fitted properly for some people it can increase the work of breathing and can increase fatigue."
Thick smoke from bushfires is likely to blanket Melbourne and Ballarat for days, with air quality at its worst in East Gippsland as dozens of bushfires continue to burn.
Dr Hinwood said the current fire situation and poor air quality was unprecedented, and urged people who were struggling with the smoky conditions to get as much clean air as they can in libraries, shopping centres and other public buildings, in addition to sealing up their homes as best as possible.
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"In terms of this event with fires in the landscape and the sheer number of areas affected by poor air quality, we've not seen this before. We need to be aware this is going to go on for some months so we need to plan appropriately as a community across state to manage these issues," she said.
Here is the EPA's smoke advice and how you can minimise the risk to you and your family.
How smoke impacts health
Most healthy people tolerate brief smoke exposure quite well. Smoke is more likely to affect some people including:
- those with heart or lung conditions
- pregnant women
- young children
- the elderly.
Symptoms of smoke exposure - including bushfire smoke - can include:
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- coughing
- sneezing
- congestion.
Exposure to smoke may be a risk because it can:
- trigger asthma
- worsen heart disease
- reduce visibility and road safety.
- The smaller the smoke particles, the greater the potential health impact may be.
What to do when it's smoky outside:
- If you see or smell smoke outside, you should stay inside. But only if it's safe to do so.
- keep your windows and doors shut
- switch your air conditioner to 'recirculate'
- take a break from the smoky conditions - for example, visit a friend or go to a large air-conditioned location
- air out your house when the smoke clears
- look out for children, older people, and others at risk
- keep pets inside with clean water and food. Keep pets' bedding inside if possible.
When it's smoky, take care of your health, especially if you're sensitive to air pollution. You can do this by:
- reducing physical activity
- following your treatment plan if you have a heart or lung condition
- following your asthma action plan
- seeing your doctor or calling NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 606 024 if you're worried about your symptoms
- calling 000 if you experience chest tightness or difficulty breathing.
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