Bushfire smoke could cause lung problems for generations, US monkey study suggests

Key points:

• Scientists have studied the impact of bushfire smoke on monkeys since 2008
• The monkeys exposed to smoke had 20 per cent less lung capacity
• There are fears that prolonged exposed to smoke could affect human health

Monkeys in Northern California are providing valuable clues to the health cost of exposure to bushfire smoke, revealing it could have potentially life-threatening consequences for humans.

Large swathes of south-eastern Australia were blanketed in smoke during the recent bushfire crisis, consistently exposing people to unsafe levels of noxious fumes not seen in some of the world's most polluted cities.

3M Tech Update: Children and P2/N95 Respirators

With school holidays nearing the end, parents are questioning what to do with their children when the air quality is still poor.

Does 3M have a P2 or N95 respirator for children in Australia & New Zealand?

Given that poor air quality has been present for such a long time and remains a concern, there are new considerations for the effectiveness and use of the P2 facemasks and with school holidays nearing the end, parents are questioning what to do with their children when the air quality is still poor.

ARE THEY SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

The heavy smoke affecting the ACT is expected to continue while fires continue to burn across the border. During this time, the ACT Health Directorate’s advice remains the same.

**Information last updated on 11 January 2020**