Release Date: 17/08/2012

New phone app to make residents breathe a sigh of relief

Residents and visitors to the borough with allergies and other respiratory conditions need never be unprepared again after the launch of a new phone ‘app’ which gives information on forecast pollution levels in their area.

The new ‘app’ will provide daily forecasts of air quality, pollen counts, temperature and UV index on smart-phones and other mobile devices. It is expected to be particularly helpful for those who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma, hayfever, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease or angina.

AirTEXT, a consortium of numerous organisations in London including Richmond Council, have developed the social and internet technology as an enhancement to its existing text messaging service which sends updates to registered users. There will also be improved Twitter services and an enhanced airTEXT website.

People experience health impacts because of a number of different factors, including exposure to ultra violet radiation (UV), pollen, temperature and higher concentrations of air pollutants. The new airTEXT service will provide a comprehensive set of health-relevant forecasts for the day ahead which address all of these factors for people living, working in and visiting London. AirTEXT has also developed a 'widget' to enable their information to be easily featured on other websites in a customised format.

Cllr Virginia Morris, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We’re delighted that the new airTEXT services have been launched and are free of charge to people living, working in and visiting London. It is vital that we do all we can to help those whose health can be affected by high pollution levels.”

More information on the services can be found at the airTEXT website at www.airtext.info.