Know your poison

Every year hundreds of people in Wiltshire are brought to an early grave by air pollution. Although little if anything will be done about the pollution itself, more information is becoming available to help people understand and react to the problem.

WC's Public Health and Public Protection services have been writing the Wiltshire Air Quality Action Plan and working with communities which have air quality management areas.

There has been strong public desire for access to air quality monitoring data from the automatic analysers located in Salisbury, Devizes, Calne and Bradford on Avon. In response, Wiltshire Council has commissioned an air quality website displaying the latest monitoring data, health advice and information about air pollution. The website also enables registration for an SMS and email alert service.

www.wiltshireairquality.org.uk

• The monitored levels at each monitoring site will be depicted in a 'speedometer' graphic, colour coded to reflect Defra's banding system.

• A link to the Defra UK-AIR website will be provided to view the latest air quality forecast for the region. The link will automatically ensure the map is centred on Wiltshire.

• Met Office widgets (for weather and warnings) will be embedded providing users with an overview of both air quality and meteorological conditions in Wiltshire.

• A Google map will show the locations and latest maximum Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) values at each monitoring site.

• Users will be able to obtain details of the monitoring site selected, a table of latest pollutant concentrations, graphs, a downloadable PDF generated for the selected monitoring site providing a statistical summary for the selected year and the ability to download excel or CSV files of data.

• A news page to allow relevant air pollution updates to be published and information on pollution incidents affecting Wiltshire.

Know and Respond Service

Know and Respond - Wiltshire is a free service to subscribers that sends registered users an alert message if air pollution in their area is forecast to be moderate, high or very high. The description of the level of pollution is based upon the Defra Air Quality Banding System.

The alert service is provided for anyone wishing to know about the quality of the air they breathe. It will be of particular benefit to people with medical conditions that may be affected by pollution, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It may also benefit people whose breathing gets worse when air pollution increases. This early warning service allows the user to make informed decisions and take action if necessary to minimise the effects of pollution episodes.

Under the scheme, anyone who lives or works in Wiltshire can sign up to receive free air pollution alerts by mobile phone text message, voicemail or email. Registered users will get a Know and Respond alert whenever air pollution levels are forecast to be MODERATE, HIGH or VERY HIGH. Guidance outlined by health professionals is provided with each alert to enable them to make informed decisions and take any precautions necessary.

The website was launched on 13 November by Maggie Rae and Councillor Keith Humphries in County Hall. Cllr Humphries is responsible for air pollution in Wiltshire.