Smoke-filled Mortlake ruining health

I live with chronic respiratory problems ever since moving from Melbourne to Mortlake. Yes—a major polluted city to a small town. I never experienced such good health before living in Melbourne. After returning to Mortlake, I now breathe smoke all year: Chimneys, people burning rubbish in their yards, crop burning, bushfire. All year long. I can’t escape it.

I know it’s going to kill me but I can’t afford to move. Head spins, blurred vision, sore and tight chest, loss of strength, confusion… The list goes on. I am powerless because people don’t care.

In Melbourne I managed to get a VO2 max of 63ml. I was extremely healthy and managed to qualify for the world championships in cycling. Well it’s all over and it’s been because of all the smoke. I think it should be banned. It’s just not necessary. Nor should we silence the suffering of people all over the country due to people burning everything. Not to mention the environmental impact.