Bunbury air worse than Beijing during fires

Weekend fires in the South West blanketed the region with smoke, causing the air quality in Bunbury to reach levels worse than Beijing.

A Department of Environmental Regulation spokesman said the air quality index measured chemicals in the air based on hourly averages.

Yesterday the numbers had dropped significantly from an overnight index reading of 131 for Bunbury, which was 20 points higher than Beijing.

Department of Health spokeswoman said the elderly, the young and people with respiratory and heart conditions were most at risk to smoke exposure.

Air pollution like smoke could cause harm to humans, animals and the wider environment, she said.

“The effects of bushfires on people and the environment are wide ranging and can be catastrophic,” she said.

“Exposure to smoke from bushfires can worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions, cause coughing and irritate the eyes.”

A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said there was no prescribed burns planned for Bunbury this week.

South West WA Country Health Service regional director Kerry Winsor said no patients presented with smoke related exposure symptoms at Bunbury Hospital at the weekend.