Smoke from bushfires presents a hazard to firefighters on the fire ground and to the public downwind of the fires. Many toxic chemicals are emitted by fires along with fine particulate matter that is known to be hazardous to human health.

This project will work towards a better understanding of the chemical composition and the anticipated chemistry of smoke from NSW bushfires for two separate purposes:

1) smoke composition measurements will be used to optimise and validate the predictions of the NSW DCCEEW air quality forecasting model and other existing chemical transport models;
2) an assessment of the toxicity of bushfire smoke will be used to devise safe working practices for limiting smoke exposure to firefighters on the fireground.

(Image: NSW DCCEEW)