Poor air quality affects thousands of people across the UK, manifesting in a myriad of symptoms and health conditions. As a result, the UK Government has introduced a new air quality alert system across the country, where people can opt in and out as they wish.
And no, it’s not those loud emergency alerts you get on your phone – the air quality ones can be adjusted to be received via SMS or e-mail, and can be stopped at any moment. What is more, alerts can be set for multiple locations at a time.
The new initiative could save the NHS millions of pounds for treating people living with conditions made worse by poor air quality, as people who already live with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable to air pollution.
The new air quality alert service tracks five key pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Particulate Matter (PM10), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2).
The initiative is also part of a wider Government plan to “tackle air pollution and protect public health”.
How to opt in for the new air quality alerts
Opting in for the new air quality alert is simple; just head to the UK Government website here, where you can find current pollution information for your area, as well as sign up for SMS or e-mail alerts. What is more, you can opt out at any time, and sign up for multiple locations.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: “We want everyone to have access to clear, reliable information about the air they breathe. This new service will make it easier for people to understand air pollution in their local area and take practical steps to protect their health, particularly those living with conditions such as asthma.”
Better access to air quality information is another way this government is tackling air pollution and protecting people’s health.”
Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Sir Chris Whitty said: “Air pollution is an extremely important, solvable health problem that causes ill health throughout the life course, from poor pregnancy outcomes through childhood lung disease to causing long-term health conditions including cancers, heart disease and stroke.”
The health impacts are greatest for the most vulnerable – children, pregnant women and people with preexisting cardiovascular or lung conditions.”
