Do the smoke masks used by Australian bushfire fighters offer enough protection? Because there is not yet enough evidence to answer this question, this project will investigate the respiratory effects of Australian combustion products as well as the efficacy of the standard issue smoke masks.

The health and safety of firefighters and volunteers has become a key concern in recent years. The effects of vegetation fires in Australian eucalypt and savanna areas may differ from those in deciduous or pine forests overseas. Two types of masks are currently used by Australian firefighters. One mask (P2) is designed to protect from particulates only, and the other (P2+Organic) from particulates and organic volatiles.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these different masks as compared with using no mask. To do this, a random sample of volunteers will to be selected from the available pool of 900 in the Perth metropolitan area. Those willing will take part in exposure tests carried out in a controlled environment at FESA’s Training Centre.
The results of this study will lead directly to the formulation of recommendations on maximising fire-fighter safety in Western Australian conditions. Also, the technology developed for these tests will be transferable – thus adding to FESA’s research capability.

Project Synopsis

Do the smoke masks used by Australian bushfire fighters offer enough protection? According to The Bushfire CRC, there is not yet enough evidence to answer this question.
This project will investigate the respiratory effects of Australian combustion products as well as the efficacy of the standard issue smoke masks.
The health and safety of fire fighters and volunteers has become a key concern in recent years. The effects of vegetation fires in Australian eucalypt and savannah areas may differ from those in deciduous or pine forests overseas. Two types of masks are currently used by Australian fire fighters. One mask (P2) is designed to protect from particulates only, and the other (P2+Orgainc) from particulates and organic volatiles.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these different masks as compared with using no mask. To do this, a random sample of volunteers will to be selected from the available pool of 900 in the Perth Metropolitan area. Those willing will take part in exposure tests carried out in a controlled environment at FESA’s Training Centre.
The volunteers will be separated into three categories and one control group (subject to University Ethics Council approval). The categories will be named M1 (a sham, ineffective mask), M2 (mask P2) and M3 (mask P2+ Organic).
Subjects will not know which mask type they are wearing and each will be exposed to combustion products from one of two vegetation types – Banksia woodland heath litter and coastal heath/grassland.
Exposure amounts will be standardised and the effects will be described using “heath outcomes” measurements. Health outcomes will be based on:

• volunteer questionnaires
• clinical indicators, and
• exposure monitoring discs.

Using multivariate analysis, the outcomes will be compared and respiratory effects will be established for the different categories and vegetation types.

There will then follow a second phase to the study, where results will be validated in the field via controlled burning activities.

The results of this study will lead directly to the formulation of recommendations on maximising fire-fighter safety in Western Australian conditions. Also, the technology developed for these tests will be transferable – thus adding to FESA’s research capability.

Project Leader: Prof. Phil Weinstein, University of Western Australia, Ph: (08) 6488 8108;
Dr Angus Cook, University of Western Australia, Ph: (08) 6488 7804;
Prof. Phil Thompson, University of Western Australia, (08) 9346 3822.