Question 1

What is the Air Quality Monitor and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

The Air Quality Monitor is a visual indicator that tracks air quality in your area.

The Air Quality Monitor 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 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.

Question 2

Why is Air Quality monitoring useful for my health?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How can I view the Air Quality in my area?

Accepted Answer

You can view the live Air Quality in your area by navigating to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of the account homepage. Here you will see the Air Quality Monitor Service Card, which when activated, will give you live Air Quality readings in your area.

Question 4

Do I need to update my health profile to make full use of the Air Quality Monitor Service?

Accepted Answer

To make best use of the service, you will need to update the health profile with your health conditions. If you are accessing the Air Quality Monitor for the first time, the Service Card will need to be activated. You can activate it by clicking the ‘Unlock’ icon. This will send you to the health profile page, where you can update your health conditions. Click Save. You will now be set up for personalised warning notifications.

The Air Quality Monitor will now send you personalised clinical warnings based on the combination of the air quality in your area and your health condition(s).

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

When you activate the Service Card for the first time, you will be prompted to allow our service to access your current location.  Please ensure you enable this.

Question 6

How often are the Air Quality readings updated?

Accepted Answer

The Air Quality readings are refreshed each day.

Question 7

What happens after I activate the Air Quality Monitor?

Accepted Answer

Once you have updated your health profile and enabled location services on your device, the Air Quality Monitor will now track the Air Quality levels in your area and send you personalised clinical warnings based on the combination of the Air Quality readings in your area and your health condition(s).

Question 8

How will I be able to receive personalised Air Quality warnings?

Accepted Answer

The Air Quality Monitor Service Card will show you a reading and an associated risk, if applicable.

Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on a combination of local Air Quality and your personal health condition(s). If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.

You can also view the warning advisory by clicking the ‘View Warning’ button on the Service Card.

Question 9

What are at-risk groups?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

What conditions are monitored as part of the warning notifications?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

Do I need to pay for using the Air Quality Monitor?

Accepted Answer

No. The Air Quality Monitor is a free service available for registered users of NowPatient.

Question 12

Can I rely on the data you are using?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

When should I see a doctor?

Accepted Answer

If the pollen count is Moderate, High, or Very High and you are Asthmatic, have Allergies, COPD, or Bronchitis; you should make an appointment with your doctor if you observe 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

Question 14

What are the Air Quality risk categories & what notifications can I expect?

Accepted Answer

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.