Exposure to bushfire smoke and asthma: an ecological study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between the mean daily concentration of respirable particles arising from bushfire smoke and hospital presentations for asthma. Design and setting: An ecological study conducted in Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia) from 1 April – 31 October 2000, a period characterised by minimal rainfall and almost continuous bushfire activity in the proximate bushland. The exposure variable was the mean atmospheric concentration of particles of 10 microns or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) per cubic metre per 24-hour period. Outcome measure: The daily number of presentations for asthma to the Emergency Department of Royal Darwin Hospital. Results: There was a significant increase in asthma