Sussex airAlert was launched at the start of June with events at schools in Sussex.

airAlert is a service, provided for the Sussex Air Quality Partnership (Sussex-air), that sends free messages direct to vulnerable people informing them about air pollution levels in their area. airAlert is targeted at people with respiratory health problems who may be affected by air pollution.

airAlert is provided by scientists in the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King's College London using forecast meteorology and the latest air pollution measurements. Bespoke software sends airAlerts sends as a voice or text message direct to you via your mobile or home telephone, email or via webpages or RSS on your PC. The airAlert service also includes a dedicated alerting service for schools warning them of pollution incidents so that they can manage pupils’ activities to reduce their pollution exposure.

Gary Fuller from the ERG said: "AirAlert is an innovative tool to provide air quality information directly to susceptible people whose health is most affected during pollution episodes, helping them manage the impacts of air pollution on their health."

Nigel Jenkins from SussexAir said: "The launch week was very successful and I can see from the website that over 130 people registered during the first 4 days alone".

The airAlert service has been very successful as a pilot during the last two summers. An independent study of the pilot service by the University of Brighton found that 67% of subscribers modified their behaviour as the result of Alerts, and comments included "airAlert has made me feel much more in control....somebody actually rings me up.. it's given me more confidence.".

You can register for free, then login for updates, changes, suspend/go on holiday or cancel the service at the airAlert website linked below.

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Item date 17/06/2008