Air quality on the Mid North Coast has been significantly affected by extensive smoke from bushfires this month.

Related:

Dawning of another smoky day

Enveloped by a smoky haze

The Live Air Quality Index, updated hourly, can be found at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/air/current-air-quality/special-projects-monitoring

AQI is a quick and easy colour-coded tool to inform you about:

Blue, green colours and yellow colours indicate air quality that is very good, good or fair, meaning almost everyone can enjoy being outdoor without any ill effect.

However, when the colours move into the orange, purple and red zones, signalling poor, very poor or hazardous air quality, people are advised to curtail strenuous outdoor activities.

At 2pm on Tuesday, for example, Coffs Harbour had 'very poor' air quality, with fine particle pollution (PM2.5) at 155.

Such particles are associated with smoky conditions and unlike larger particles, which are usually trapped in the nose and throat and swallowed, fine particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter may reach your lungs and cause irritation or other adverse health effects.

At this level of air quality, everyone is advised to cut back or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities

When you look at the AQI at your nearest monitoring site or in your region, you will see the display of a colour depending on the air quality measured. The meanings of the different colours are explained in the table below. The AQI will help you understand the current level of air quality and provide information on how to reduce your risk of exposure to air pollution if necessary.