Health effects of smoke from planned burning
The Health effects of smoke from planned burning study was funded by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre and was conducted by Monash University, the University of Tasmania and the CSIRO in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, the Victorian Department of Health and the Environment Protection Authority.
Exposure to smoke associated with both planned and unplanned fires is a frequent experience in many Australian communities, but there has not been much research about the community health impacts of smoke exposure. This study, the first of its kind, measured exposure to smoke both indoors and outdoors to find out how this might influence the function of the lungs, heart and blood vessels. The results from this study will allow the potential risks from planned burning to be compared with the risks from severe bushfires.
It will help community members, land managers and health professionals protect community health and well-being during burn-offs. It will also help public health managers and doctors know what sort of medical advice to give healthy people, older people and people who might have chronic medical conditions.
Who participated in the study?
Community dwelling adults who live within areas targeted for planned burning during the 2015 autumn season were invited to participate.
What was involved?
Completing a health questionnaire and diary for the burn-off period.
Having some health measurements taken such as tests of heart and lung function, blood pressure and a blood test.
Researchers and study team
- Dr Martine Dennekamp
- Prof Michael Abramson
- Dr Fay Johnston
- Dr Fabienne Reisen
- Mr Tom O'Dwyer
Further information
Publications
- Haikerwal A, Reisen F, Sim MR, Abramson MJ, Meyer CP, Johnston FH, Dennekamp M. Impact of smoke from prescribed burning: Is it a public health concern? Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. 2015 May;65(5):592-8. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2015.1032445.
- O'Dwyer T, Abramson MJ, Straney L, Salimi F, Johnston F, Wheeler AJ, O'Keeffe D, Haikerwal A, Reisen F, Hopper I, Dennekamp M. Sub-Clinical Effects of Outdoor Smoke in Affected Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021 Jan 28;18(3):1131. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031131.
Related media
- 'What you can do about the health impact of bushfire smoke', The Conversation, 19 October 2013
- 'What to do about the health impact of bushfire smoke', SBS News article, 20 October 2013
- 'Bushfire smoke: health risks travel further than the flames', The Pulse, ABC News article, 21 October 2013
- Article on the Government House Tasmania webpage, 12 June 2014 – Malanka Lankaputhra's study is part of a broad study headed by Monash University and the Menzies Research Institute, investigating the cardiovascular and respiratory health impacts of bushfire smoke. By using exposure to planned burns in rural Victoria as a model, Malanka's study is the first to consider the health impacts of any type of bushfire derived air pollution at an individual level.