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'Significant peak' in asthma cases
Sydney's east and south-west, the lower Hunter and Muswellbrook recorded "very poor" air quality levels, while the Illawarra, North-West Slopes and Central Tablelands recorded poor air quality levels.
A dust storm has engulfed Sydney, but is expected to get worse by early afternoon.Credit:Nick Moir
NSW Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Tony Gately said extra paramedics had been rostered on Thursday to cope with an increase in demand.
"So far today we have responded to around 90 cases of asthma or breathing difficulties right across Sydney which is a significant peak," he said.
"Anyone prone to respiratory distress needs to be absolutely vigilant."
Mr Gately said people needed to take the warning seriously as NSW Ambulance was receiving about eight calls an hour for breathing difficulties.
The dust storm blankets Sydney on Thursday morning.Credit:Peter Rae
"Conditions like asthma can be deadly and to take risks in the current conditions would be very ill-advised,” he said.
Dust storm visible 'from space'
Ms Pyne said the drought in western NSW had dried out the soil, and the lack of vegetation due to the drought meant the soil was exposed.
"Into yesterday, we had a cold front move into the western parts of NSW and that brought some strong to gale force winds ... whipping up that dust, lifting it aloft and just steadily has been marching east in a great big long line," she said.
The line of dust now stretches from the southern ranges of NSW all the way up to Queensland and it is visible on the bureau's satellite imagery, she said.
"You can see the big band of it from space," she said.
While dust storms are fairly common in inland NSW, experiencing this type of storm on the coast is rare, Ms Pyne said.
"You need some very vigorous winds to carry it this far," she said.
Scott Fuller and Natalie Beekmann watch a dust storm cloud that moved across western NSW and blanketed Wollongong on Thursday.Credit:Adam Mclean
"The winds are pretty strong, so this thing is going to keep marching east off into the ocean. I'd expect tomorrow to be a lot clearer than today."
People urged to stay indoors
NSW Health has urged people with chronic heart and lung conditions including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease, as well as the elderly and children, to limit their time outside.
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Director of Environmental Health Richard Broome said those people should also refrain from vigorous exercise during the dust storm and to stay in air conditioning, which can help reduce dust particles in the air.
"Dust may aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause symptoms like eye irritation and cough," Dr Broome said.
He said those with asthma or other lung conditions who develop symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing should following NSW Health's Asthma Action Plan or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Action Plan.
"If symptoms do not settle, seek medical advice," he said.
Dr Broome said that even healthy people might feel the effects of the dust storm.
"It’s wise to reschedule or cut back on prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities when dust levels are high," he said.
Rachel Clun is a reporter at the Sydney Morning Herald. She was previously a reporter with the Brisbane Times and Domain.