You may not have realised that during bushfire season, air quality is significantly affected due to the production of smoke.
Short-term, this can have negative consequences for sensitive individuals (i.e. asthma sufferers, younger children and older people). However, prolonged exposure to air pollution in pregnancy is also linked to increased rates of pre-term birth, decreased birth weight, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes (1).
The best way to reduce your risk of breathing polluted air is by limiting your exposure. Our advice is to stay indoors as much as possible with your air conditioning on re-cycle. Avoid exercising outdoors during this time and if you must go outside, it is advisable to use a P2 facemask.
Below is further from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) to help you avoid the health related risks associated poor air quality: AMA Warns of New Health Threats from Ongoing Bushfire Crisis.pdf
If you can see or smell smoke then there is a significant amount of air pollution, but if you wish to monitor the air quality in your area more closely, please visit: https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/data_and_publications/air_quality_monitoring
Flinders Fertility’s move to our new Glenelg facility has meant that we were able to install state-of the-art embryology laboratory filtration systems to ensure the laboratory has good air quality at all times. In the bushfire season we also constantly monitor the air quality in the laboratory and in theatre to ensure that we maintain safe culture conditions.
Want to find out more?
If you have any further questions about the information described above, you can arrange a nurse chat with one of our fertility nurses.
For up to date health and wellness information on how to increase your chances of conception, check out our fertility news page, or download our e-book below.
Sources:
1. https://ranzcog.edu.au/news/statement-on-prolonged-exposure-to-bushfire-smoke
Image courtesy of www.abc.net.au