20 January 2006
People living in the London borough of Croydon will be able to find out about pollution levels via email.
The local authority has set up this free-of-charge service to help people who could be affected by high levels of pollution avoid unnecessary exposure to it.
Pollution alerts will also be sent as voice messages and texts on mobile phones.
It works by air pollution levels in the Croydon area being monitored on a daily basis in order to predict the levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone and airborne particles.
Then, once all the data has been formulated, the 'airtext' system issues an alert of the levels along with relevant health advice.
The two-year initiative is the result of collaboration between the London borough of Croydon and the European Space Agency, Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants, the South West London Health Protection Unit and the Croydon Primary Care Trust.
Stephen Potter, specialist pollution team manager in the borough said that the scheme is aimed to be accessible to all members of the community.
"We are constantly looking for ways to improve the services we provide to our residents and wanted a way to communicate with everyone no matter what their age, or how technologically advanced, to warn them of changes in pollution levels."
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