Indicator assessment
CONDITION
TREND
DATA QUALITY
There is currently no data available on the impacts of non-bushfire air pollution on human health in the ACT, nor the associated costs to the health system and the economy. Current expert and research consensus suggests that air pollution, even at concentrations within the current air quality standards, is associated with adverse health effects.
Smoke from the 2019–20 bushfires caused significant health issues in the ACT with an estimated 31 excess deaths and 318 hospital admissions.
CONDITION
Environmental condition is healthy across the ACT, OR pressure likely to have negligible impact on environmental condition/human health.
Environmental condition is neither positive or negative and may be variable across the ACT, OR pressure likely to have limited impact on environmental condition/human health.
Environmental condition is under significant stress, OR pressure likely to have significant impact on environmental condition/ human health.
Data is insufficient to make an assessment of status and trends.
TREND
DATA QUALITY
Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus.
Limited evidence or limited consensus.
Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment.
Assessments of status, trends and data quality are not appropriate for the indicator.
Health impacts
For information on this indicator see Background: Air quality.
There is currently no data available on the impacts of non-bushfire air pollution on human health in the ACT nor the associated costs to the health system and the economy. At the time of writing this report, the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment was unable to obtain data on doctor visits and hospital admissions during periods of poor air quality, or data on increases in respiratory and cardiovascular problems associated with periods of poor air quality. This remains a significant data gap in the assessment of air quality impacts in the ACT.
However, there is some data available on the impacts of the Black Summer bushfires. During the bushfires, the Canberra community endured periods of extreme air pollution from bushfire smoke. These have left a lasting impression on the health and wellbeing of many Canberrans.
Bushfire smoke caused an estimated 31 excess deaths in the ACT. There were also 318 hospital admissions for health conditions coinciding with periods of significant fire activity or air pollution. This included a 52% increase in hospital admissions for the week beginning 5 January 2020. In addition to physical health, the smoke also impacted on the mental health of many Canberrans.
The smoke impacted Canberrans’ health, everyday lives and work. Many businesses, institutions, services and attractions were forced to close, with social and economic consequences. The Canberra Hospital was also impacted with poor indoor air quality that affected staff, patients, machines and equipment.
For more information on the air quality impacts of the 2019-20 bushfire season see 4. Bushfires in the ACT, Protecting Canberra’s Air Quality, and Life in the Haze.
Information on the impacts of wood heaters on the health of the Canberra community can be found in the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment’s investigation into wood heater policy in the ACT.
Data gaps
Information is lacking on the human health impacts of air pollution and associated costs to the health system and economy in the ACT.