Putting the ASH in fashion: Man casually strolls along Sydney street wearing a GIMP MASK to avoid toxic bush-fire smoke – as others get even MORE creative
- Sydneysiders have been wearing unusual face masks to protect themselves from the blanket of toxic smoke
- ‘Bushfire selfies’ have swept social media, with residents keen to show off their fashionable breathing masks
- But some have been opting for simple hospital masks, which don’t properly protect from hazardous particles
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With Sydney suffocating under a blanket of thick smoke, residents are taking extreme measures to protect themselves from the dangerous pollution.
But for many Sydneysiders, that’s no reason to forgo their fashion credentials – as the city became a catwalk for bizarre and creative face masks.
The ‘bushfire chic’ trend came as the thick smog continued to blow across the city from the raging Gospers Mountain fire north-west of the city, with the smoke likely to linger for days to come.
Opting for a catwalk-ready look, this woman showcased an embellished mask which matched her customised denim jacket
Making sure she was Instagram-ready even as Sydney endured the suffocating smoke, this woman posed in a pale pink mask on social media
Those preferring a very different look could take a leaf out of this Sydneysider’s book after he was spotted in the CBD in a dramatic black mask that complemented the rest of his outfit
The NSW Environment Department said heavy smoke lingering in Sydney was expected to clear on Wednesday thanks to a ‘strong southerly’ wind.
But doctors have warned people can still suffer long-term health impacts from breathing in the ‘toxic’ layer of smog.
Last week, air pollution in the city reached such critical levels that breathing it was the equivalent of smoking an entire pack of cigarettes.
Data from the NSW Environment Department show levels of PM2.5 – a particle so fine that humans inhale it into their bodies – had reached ‘hazardous’ levels.
This is the worst classification of air pollution, and poses an immediate risk to health.
A protester at Sydney’s climate emergency rally combined a gas mask with a bong as he joined thousands of others to demand immediate action to fight bushfires
This man, spotted in Bondi, opted for a strange orange face mask to match his colourful singlet as he took a walk outside in the smoke
Even a thick blanket of smoke couldn’t stop this woman posing on Bondi Beach, using a selfie stick to get the perfect bushfire pic
This group of young Sydney mates decided to wear matching masks for a festive party, enjoying glasses of wine as they protected themselves from the toxic haze
A group of young women crossing the road in Bondi also opted to protect themselves, making a rather unusual accessory decision to go with their swimsuits and tiny shorts
Some of the most extreme masks look like they came straight from a dystopian film, with one woman modelling a bright pink Hello Kitty face mask with bright pink breathing filters.
Experts said people looking for a mask need to opt for a P2 mask or stronger, which are the kind usually worn by builders.
Also known as a PT respirator, the mask is specially designed to filter out fine particles from the air, which can help stop them reaching the respiratory system.
The most dangerous particles carried by bushfire smoke, PM2.5, have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, meaning they can only be detected with an electron microscope.
This means they are so small and light that they stay in the air for longer and can be easily inhaled by humans and animals – bypassing the nose and throat to penetrate deep into the lungs.
Respiratory diseases scientist Professor Brian Oliver said spending a day breathing this low-quality air is as bad as being a heavy smoker.
Numerous scientific studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease.
They are also known to seriously affect chronic conditions including asthma, heart attack and bronchitis.
Sydneysiders have adopted a bizzare new selfie trend as bushfires raging across New South Wales push a hazardous smoke haze over the Harbour City
A woman commuting in Bondi chose a very colourful face mask to protect herself from the blanket of toxic smoke, with the most dangerous particles able to enter the respiratory system
This man opted for a basic hospital mask, which is not known to protect wearers from the most dangerous pollutant particles