Away from the flames, millions of Australians are breathing unhealthy air this summer as smoke from the country’s disastrous wildfires clouds skies from Sydney to Canberra to Melbourne. High levels of PM2.5 pollution are particularly harmful to older people, the very young and people with compromised immune systems. The city recorded its worst air quality day last month, when fine particulate matter reached unhealthy levels. During the hour of highest pollution, PM2.5 readings hit nearly 400 micrograms per cubic meter, a level considered hazardous over 24 hours. (Air pollution readings are not available for the area because of sparse monitoring station coverage.)

Source: New York Times January 03, 2020 21:18 UTC