Summer bushfire smoke caused health problems in two-thirds of people living in parts of NSW

Survey of people living in Hunter and New England in December found 65% had at least one symptom of exposure, including eye and throat irritation

Two-thirds of people living in a fire-affected part of New South Wales this summer suffered from at least one symptom of exposure to bushfire smoke, researchers have found.

A survey of people living in the Hunter and New England local health district in December found that 65% reported experiencing at least one symptom of exposure to bushfire smoke, most commonly eye irritation, throat irritation, a cough, a headache, or sneezing.