Global air quality tracker shows parts of Tasmania worse than big cities
A global index shows air quality in Tasmania's Derwent Valley reached levels deemed unhealthy in the past two days, as authorities carry out autumn fuel reduction burns.
The World Air Quality Index publishes data measuring pollution in units called PM10 and PM2.5, which track particles in the atmosphere.
At one point in the past 48 hours, the figures showed air quality at New Norfolk near Hobart reached the same level as industrial areas of India and China.
Hobart's PM2.5 was higher than New York, London and Paris.
Launceston's measure was slightly lower than the southern part of the state, but still higher than Melbourne.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Rachel McInerney said settled conditions had allowed particles to build up in the air.
"We've had a high pressure system sitting out over the Tasman... that's resulted in a north-westerly and very little rain across Tasmania for quite a number of days," she said.
Rain forecast today should help clear the air, but only for a short time.
"Today is the day that will clear out the air but there is a risk we'll have some pretty settled conditions after that," she said.
"We have a trough and a cold front crossing the state today and hopefully that will rain out a lot of the particles,.
"There is a risk we'll have some pretty settled conditions after that."
About 100 planned burns are being carried out around Tasmania and prompted the Asthma Foundation to issue two alerts for the Hobart area in the past three days.