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Air Quality Monitor

Air Quality Monitor

Get live air quality data in your local area. Air quality can significantly influence your health and trigger various health issues, both immediate and prolonged. NowPatient provides personalised risk notifications based on your underlying health conditions and prevailing air quality.

How it works

Step 1

When you log into your NowPatient account for the first time, you will be prompted to turn on ‘Location Services’ on your device

A smartphone screen displays a prompt from the "NowPatient" app requesting permission to use the user's location, with options to allow once, allow while using the app, or don't allow.
Step 2

Go to your account dashboard and look for the Air Quality Monitor that sits in ‘My Personalized Health Tools’ section

A smartphone displays a health app with a Body Mass Index of 30.2 and an Air Quality Monitor reading of 53, both on screen. The background is green with a repeat pattern of shield icons.
Step 3

The Air Quality Monitor will show the Air Quality index score for today

Smartphone screen displaying a health app with an Air Quality Monitor showing a value of 32 and a Pollen Meter indicating levels for tree, grass, and weed pollen against a green background.
Step 4

If the Air Quality index score is high or breaches safety thresholds, then you will see a red warning box

Smartphone screen displaying a health app with an air quality monitor reading of 273, indicating poor air quality, and a pollen meter categorizing levels for tree, grass, and weed pollen.
Step 5

Click on the red warning box, to see the precautionary advice

Smartphone screen showing an air quality warning advising people with lung and heart problems, children, and older adults to avoid strenuous activity. Asthma sufferers may need their inhaler more often.
Step 6

If there is a risk to your health, then you will also receive a notification in your ‘My Notifications’ that will outline the risk and what precautions you should take

A smartphone showing an air quality monitor notification. The message advises adults and children with lung problems, the elderly, and those with asthma to avoid strenuous activity.

Service Guide

Everything you need to know about the Air Quality Monitor

Why is the Air Quality Monitor 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 the Air Quality Monitor benefit me?

The NowPatient Air Quality Monitor sends you conditional 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.

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

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 low air pollution days. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical advice.

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.

Do I need to have location services on my device activated?

Yes. Our service is based on your location. If location services are turned off, then we will not be able to provide you with personalised Air Quality data.

How will I see the results & 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.

table icon
Air Quality Index explained

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

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.

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