airAlert messages provide information which can help respiratory sensitive people make
choices on what they do, where they choose to go or if they need take medication with them.
We want to inform people, the day before a pollution episode is predicted, so that it
can help them make informed choices about managing their respiratory health.
The information provided is relevant to the UK guidelines which relate to the potential
for the levels of pollution to impact on the health of the population (UK (DEFRA) Air
Quality Bandings). For more information refer to Health Advice.
Each week day, we produce air pollution forecasts for the following 24 hrs or for a
weekend (on Fridays).
These pollution forecasts are converted to an airAlert message and sent out to recipients,
via their selected message service (text, voice, email, web page or RSS).
The airAlerts are only sent if a forecast likely to be above the UK Air
Quality Banding level "Moderate" or higher i.e. pollution levels which may trigger symptoms.
The airAlert message will detail:
the level of concern, Moderate, High or Very High
the type of pollution: NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), PM10 (particles/dust), O3 (ozone).
where the pollution is of most concern (e.g. roadside, non-roadside, rural, urban)
the alert will only be relevant to your pre-registered area or district (in Southampton City Council)
when the forecast is relevant (i.e. day, date, or over the weekend)
Upon registering for airAlert a recipient will be asked to detail information on their
location and the preferred method of airAlert message delivery. This will determine how
and to where we send out the airAlerts and airAlert information.
