What Is the Air Quality Monitor?
The Air Quality Monitor is a visual indicator that tracks air quality in your area. It 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, such as someone with asthma or COPD, and the air quality in your location is poor, the monitor will send you an advisory notification describing what precautions you need to take to prevent the worsening of your condition.
The Air Quality Monitor is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations for its intended use. It is free for all registered NowPatient users.
Why Does Air Quality Matter for Your Health?
Your health can be significantly influenced by the quality of the air you breathe. Exposure to air pollution, laden with harmful particles and gases, can trigger a range of health issues, both immediate and prolonged.
Immediate effects of exposure to polluted air may include:
Eye, nose, and throat irritation
Headaches, fatigue, and dizziness
Worsening of existing conditions such as asthma and allergies, leading to coughing and wheezing
Sustained exposure to air pollution is associated with severe long-term health consequences, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
How to Set Up the Air Quality Monitor
The Air Quality Monitor Service Card is located in the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage. To activate it:
Open the Air Quality Monitor Service Card and tap the ‘Unlock’ icon. This will take you to your health profile page.
Update your health profile with your health conditions and click ‘Save’. This is essential for the monitor to send you personalized warnings.
Enable location services on your device when prompted. This allows the monitor to access your current location for accurate air quality readings.
The Air Quality Monitor Service Card will now activate and begin tracking air quality in your area, sending personalized clinical warnings based on the combination of local air quality and your health condition(s).
How Does the Air Quality Monitor Work?
The monitor harnesses the power of on-ground sensors, remote satellite imagery, and a global proprietary sensor network to gather credible air quality data from multiple sources. Air quality readings are refreshed each day.
NowPatient’s AI algorithms trigger warnings based on a combination of local air quality and your personal health condition(s). If the algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive:
A push notification with clinical advice sent directly to your device
An In-App notification viewable in the ‘Notifications’ section of your account homepage
You can also view any warning advisory at any time by selecting the ‘View Warning’ button on the Air Quality Monitor Service Card.
Who Is in an At-Risk Group?
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.
The following conditions are classified 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
When Should I See a Doctor?
If you have asthma, allergies, COPD, or bronchitis and the air quality is at a concerning level, make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of 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
Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories and Health Guidance
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is divided into six categories. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern and a corresponding notification you may receive.
Colour & Level | Concern Level | AQI Range | Description | UK Advice: At-Risk Individuals | UK Advice: General Population |
Green — Good | 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 | 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 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 101–150 | 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 | 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 | Very unhealthy | 201–300 | 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 | 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 |