Protect yourself from air pollution

Short-term exposure to air pollution (hours or days) can make existing health problems worse, while long-term exposure (months or years) can cause new diseases to appear or worsen.

Health recommendations by The Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

CategoryPM2.5 1-hour average (μg/m³)	Sensitive groupsPeople with a heart or lung condition (including asthma), people over 65, infants and young children, pregnant women, and people with diabetes.	Everyone else
Good 0–12.5	No change needed to your normal outdoor activities.	No change needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Fair 12.5–25	Keep track of conditions and be prepared to take action if air quality gets worse. Monitor any health conditions.	Keep track of conditions. No change needed to your normal activities.
Poor 25–50The air is likely to be dusty or smoky	CONSIDER taking steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the strategies listed below: Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like cough or shortness of breath. Keep track of conditions and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one. Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask. Go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms, call your local health service or see your doctor. If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.	Keep track of conditions. CONSIDER taking steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air if poor conditions last longer than one day. See advice below for very poor air quality for a list of actions to consider.
Very Poor 50–150The air is very dusty or smoky	TAKE ACTION to reduce your exposure to polluted air, especially if you have a medical condition that is not under good control. Use one or more of the strategies listed below: Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms like cough or shortness of breath. When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one. Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask. Go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms, call your local health service or see your doctor. If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.	CONSIDER taking one or more of the following steps to reduce your exposure to polluted air: Reduce outdoor physical activity, especially if you develop symptoms like cough or shortness of breath. Keep track of conditions and consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one. Use a P2 or N95. Go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so.
Extremely Poor >150The air is very dusty or smoky	TAKE ACTION to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the strategies listed below. Stay indoors with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better and reduce indoor activity. Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one. Use a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a pre-existing heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask. Go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms, call your local health service or see your doctor. If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.	TAKE ACTION to reduce your exposure to polluted air using one or more of the strategies listed below. Stay indoors as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better. Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter if you have access to one. Use a P2 or N95 mask. Go to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. If you are concerned about symptoms, call your local health service or see your doctor. If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing or tightness in the chest, call 000 for an ambulance.