The state environment department’s air pollution monitor detects significant levels of fine suspended particles, known as PM10s, which damage people’s respiratory tracts.

Wednesday morning’s reading was based on a 24-hour rolling average of dust particles rather than pollution peaks throughout the day.

Hourly pollution readings show Maison Dieu’s air quality was in the “poor”, “very poor” and “hazardous” range for four hours from 7pm on Tuesday.

The worst period was detected at 9pm on Tuesday when a dust levels reached 128, well above the start of the hazardous level which starts with a 100 reading.

A workshop in Muswellbrook next Tuesday will hear from government departments about the network.

The meeting is at Muswellbrook Council Chambers from 5.30pm and is open to the public.