Facemask and respirator use for bushfire smoke protection: A cross-country comparison of public health policies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United States
The inconsistent recommendations from health organisations and countries regarding mask and respirator use during bushfires highlights the lack of high-quality evidence in this area. Health, emergency and fire services, and other relevant organisations should provide clear guidance around types of facemasks, the length of time a facemask should be used and on proper use of respirators use, including training and fit checking.
Authors
- Smita Shah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7675-1834)
- Abrar Ahmad Chughtai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4203-7891)
- Elizabeth Benedict Kpozehouen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8642-7547)
- Guy B. Marks (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8976-8053)
- Holly Seale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1877-5395)
- C. Raina MacIntyre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3060-0555)
Institutions
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- New South Wales Department of Health (AU)
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research (AU)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Sydney Local Health District (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Health Policy
- Published
- 2025-11-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105510
- Primary Topic
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00