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.
What is the Air Quality Monitor and how does it work?
The Air Quality Monitor is a visual indicator that tracks air quality in your area.
The Air Quality Monitor sends you conditional clinical warnings based on the air quality in your location and your pre-existing medical conditions, if you have any.
For example, if you are in an at-risk group like an Asthmatic or suffer from COPD, and the Air Quality in your location is poor, then we will send you an advisory notification describing what precautions you need to take to prevent the exacerbation of your condition.
Why is Air Quality monitoring 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.
How can I view the Air Quality in my area?
You can view the live Air Quality in your area by navigating to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of the account homepage. Here you will see the Air Quality Monitor Service Card, which when activated, will give you live Air Quality readings in your area.
Do I need to update my health profile to make full use of the Air Quality Monitor Service?
To make best use of the service, you will need to update the health profile with your health conditions. If you are accessing the Air Quality Monitor for the first time, the Service Card will need to be activated. You can activate it by clicking the ‘Unlock’ icon. This will send you to the health profile page, where you can update your health conditions. Click Save. You will now be set up for personalised warning notifications.
The Air Quality Monitor will now send you personalised clinical warnings based on the combination of the air quality in your area and your health condition(s).
Do I need to have location services on my device activated?
When you activate the Service Card for the first time, you will be prompted to allow our service to access your current location. Please ensure you enable this.
How often are the Air Quality readings updated?
The Air Quality readings are refreshed each day.
What happens after I activate the Air Quality Monitor?
Once you have updated your health profile and enabled location services on your device, the Air Quality Monitor will now track the Air Quality levels in your area and send you personalised clinical warnings based on the combination of the Air Quality readings in your area and your health condition(s).
How will I be able to receive personalised Air Quality warnings?
The Air Quality Monitor Service Card will show you a reading and an associated risk, if applicable.
Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on a combination of local Air Quality and your personal health condition(s). If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.
You can also view the warning advisory by clicking the ‘View Warning’ button on the Service Card.
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 good Air Quality days. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical advice.
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
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.
When should I see a doctor?
If the pollen count is Moderate, High, or Very High and you are Asthmatic, have Allergies, COPD, or Bronchitis; you should make an appointment with your doctor if you observe the following worsening symptoms:
Feel wheezy
Feel breathless
Have a tight feeling in your chest
Are coughing more than usual
Have asthma and need to use your reliever inhaler (usually blue) three times a week or more
What are the Air Quality risk categories & 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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Is the Air Quality Monitor safe for me to use?
Yes. The Air Quality Monitor is classified as a class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations, for its intended use.