Deakin researcher warns of Thunderstorm Asthma risk today

Deakin University PhD student and Deakin AirWatch researcher Kira Hughes warns that today most of Victoria has been classed at a Moderate Risk Level for an epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma event.

Three things must occur for a Thunderstorm Asthma event to take place:

• A storm passing through
• Allergens, such as pollens, in the air
• A susceptible population with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or allergies

According to Melbourne Pollen, Moderate Risk is defined as: One of the elements necessary for an event may be present (i.e. a high pollen forecast or a severe thunderstorm with strong winds) and there is a moderate chance of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring.

‘Today’s weather forecast combined with the predicted pollen count means that there is a greater chance that those key elements will combine to create a Thunderstorm Asthma event,’ said Ms Hughes. ‘Knowing this, people with pre-existing conditions such as hay fever, asthma or allergies, should stock up on allergy & asthma medication, stay inside, or wear a face mask if they need to go out, and carry their asthma medication and Asthma Action Plan.’

The public can also stay informed bydownloading the VicEmergency app to receive area-specific updates and the Melbourne Pollen App also syndicates Thunderstorm Asthma Forecasts on behalf of the Department of Health.

Victoria has had at least seven Thunderstorm Asthma events, which is more than any other city or country in the world.

‘Most Thunderstorm Asthma events are not catastrophic,’ said Ms Hughes. ‘But in 2016, Melbourne experienced the most severe Thunderstorm Asthma event ever recorded. Ten thousand people required medical care and sadly, 10 people passed away. Some of those people had never experienced asthma before.’

The frustration for researchers is that the pollen data can be up to 24 hours old, with the recording machines not having been updated in over 70 years.

As part of her PhD, Ms Hughes is helping to develop the world’s first real-time pollen counter – a sensor that will take less than one hour to collate pollen in the air.

‘The current systems are outdated, and these potential dated forecasts may result in inaccurate pollen counts or even worse, events being missed with potentially deadly results.

The Deakin AirWatch facility plays a crucial role in providing data for pollen forecasts and Thunderstorm Asthma warnings. The research team is hoping that in the future we can do this is a much more efficient manner that will ultimately help to save lives.’