THE dust storm that pushed air pollution levels to 1500 times their normal levels – the highest on record. “Dust storms like this occur quite regularly but they rarely travel this far east and come through Sydney. It’s travelled about 1500 kilometres to get to Sydney. Fine particles can also irritate the lungs of healthy adults, and it is advised that everyone should significantly cut back on physical activities outside today. Particle levels are likely to be higher outdoors than indoors, so people sensitive to fine particles should limit the time they spend outside. There’s a southwesterly change coming through and that’s what’s been blowing most of the dust away.”
