What is the Air Quality Monitor and how do I use it?
The NowPatient Air Quality Monitor is an AI-powered tool that sends you conditional advisory notices based on the air quality in your location and your pre-existing medical conditions, if you have any.
If we identify risks, you will see a red triangle appear on the tool. You can click this to see the advisory notice. Notices are customised and take into account pre-existing medical conditions such as COPD, Asthma or Bronchitis. They describe what precautions you need to take to prevent the exacerbation of your condition.
Why is the Air Quality Monitor useful for my health?
Your health can be significantly influenced by the quality of the air you breathe. Being subjected to air pollution, laden with detrimental particles and gases, can trigger various health issues, both immediate and prolonged. The immediate repercussions of exposure to polluted air may include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
Existing conditions like asthma and allergies can be exacerbated, leading to symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Sustained exposure to air pollution is associated with severe health consequences, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
What conditions are monitored as part of the warning notifications?
The following conditions are classed as 'at risk' for sensitivity to Air Quality:
Allergies
Asthma
Atrial Fibrillation
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Coronary Heart Disease
Heart Attack
Heart Failure
Unstable Angina
What are at-risk groups?
At-risk groups are defined as adults and children with heart or lung problems, who are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor’s usual advice about exercising and managing your condition. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects, even on low air pollution days. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical advice.
Do I need to pay for using the Air Quality Monitor?
No. The Air Quality Monitor is a free service available for registered users of NowPatient.
Can I rely on the data you are using?
Yes. We harness the power of on-ground sensors, remote satellite imagery, and a global proprietary sensor network to get credible data from multiple sources.
Do I need to have location services on my device activated?
Yes. Our service is based on your location. If location services are turned off, then we will not be able to provide you with personalised Air Quality data.
How will I see the results & what notifications can I expect?
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is divided into six categories, as in the table below. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern and corresponding intervention notice that you may receive.
Daily AQI Color
| Levels of Concern | Values of Index
| Description of Air Quality | UK Air Advice Notification At Risk Individuals | UK Air Advice Notification for General Population |
Green | Good | 0-50 | Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities |
Yellow | Moderate | 51-100 | Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities |
Orange | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 101 to 150 | Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities |
Red | Unhealthy | 151-200 | Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems should consider reducing strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion | Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors |
Purple | Very unhealthy | 201 to 300 | Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone | Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems should consider reducing strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion | Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors |
Maroon | Hazardous | 301 and higher | Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected | Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often | Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat
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