People across the UK can now sign up for a new air quality alerts service, which provides up-to-date information on local pollution levels. The service allows individuals to select an area, such as their home or workplace, and receive an alert by SMS or email when air pollution is forecast to be high.
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle stated that the service aims to give everyone access to clear, reliable information about the air they breathe, helping people understand local air pollution and take steps to protect their health. Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Sir Chris Whitty highlighted that air pollution is a significant health problem, causing ill health from poor pregnancy outcomes to long-term conditions like cancers and heart disease.
The service tracks five key pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Particulate Matter (PM10), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), and Sulphur dioxide (SO2). It delivers on a commitment from the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan to improve access to air pollution information.