Launched last week in Sevenoaks airAlert is a free service delivering forecast alerts direct to subscribers when pollution is expected to be elevated. The service is open to all but is particularly aimed at residents with respiratory problems, which may be made worse by air pollution. Schools can also register to be warned of possible impact for their students.

The delivery method of the forecast is chosen by the subscriber and can be email, text to mobile phones or a spoken message to a land line, to ensure the widest possible inclusion. The forecasts provide information on the pollutant of concern, the time of day it’s most likely to peak, and the levels at rural, urban and roadside locations. Through this level of detail it is hoped to allow recipients to plan their days and through simple actions help to reduce their pollution exposure, for example taking the dog for a walk in the morning if pollution is forecast to peak in the afternoon.

Forecasts are issued the day before ‘moderate’ or above pollution is expected, or on a Friday for the whole weekend.

The forecast uses the readings from the monitoring sites, in Greatness and at the Bat & Ball junction, among other inputs. These monitoring sites have been operated by Sevenoaks District Council’s Environmental Health Department for many years to provide information on the pollution levels within the district.

The new service provided with the aid of a Defra grant enables this information to be used for Environmental Health, Public health and Community Services.

Registration is easy and can be carried out on line at Air quality alerts, by phoning the Council 01732 227000 or email environmental.protection@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Item date 03/04/2014