Journal article
Can Public Spaces Effectively Be Used as Cleaner Indoor Air Shelters during Extreme Smoke Events?
Amanda J Wheeler, Ryan W Allen, Kerryn Lawrence, Christopher T Roulston, Jennifer Powell, Grant J Williamson, Penelope J Jones, Fabienne Reisen, Geoffrey G Morgan, Fay H Johnston
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH | MDPI | Published : 2021
Abstract
During extreme air pollution events, such as bushfires, public health agencies often recommend that vulnerable individuals visit a nearby public building with central air conditioning to reduce their exposure to smoke. However, there is limited evidence that these "cleaner indoor air shelters" reduce exposure or health risks. We quantified the impact of a "cleaner indoor air shelter" in a public library in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia when concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were elevated during a local peat fire and nearby bushfires. Specifically, we evaluated the air quality improvements with central air conditioning only and with the use of portable high efficiency particu..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence "Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research" (CAR). G.J.W.'s funding was provided by the New South Wales government through the NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub.