Leeds City Council launches email air pollution alert service

The Yorkshire authority launched the new system for Clean Air Day 2022, while announcing plans for a new conference for health workers and air quality experts.

Leeds City Council has launched a new email service, which will alert residents when air quality is low, and pollution levels are high. The system is already online, and went live for Clean Air Day on 16th June. 

The initiative forms part of a wider plan to reduce the 5.7% of deaths in Leeds linked to air pollution, and takes the form of public health information, delivered direct to inboxes, encouraging people to change behaviours in line with the latest advice on atmospheric levels.

That could mean opting to cycle rather than drive to work, which in turn reduces additional contributions to air pollution and helps protect the most vulnerable people. Alerts will also be available on the authority’s social media channels. A 2019 study by King’s College London showed this kind of scheme works in reducing population exposure. 

In addition to the email service, Leeds City Council has also announced a new bespoke online conference which will take place in October. Every Breath You Treat aims to bring together health professionals and air quality experts from across the UK, and is said to be the first completely dedicated to the health impacts of air pollution. The event is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians. 

The council has also announced plans to work with Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, the Leeds Public Health Resource Centre, and local primary care networks to arm doctors and nurses with 7,000 patient-friendly leaflets containing advice and information on air pollution. These have been created with the environmental charity, Global Action Plan. 

‘I am really pleased to see the council and health partners working together to raise awareness of air pollution and help people to protect themselves. Polluted air harms everyone, but some people are at a greater risk. It’s vitally important that we help those vulnerable people to be aware of this risk and — as important — know what they can do about it,’ said Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for public health and active lifestyles. ‘I would strongly encourage every resident, especially those at greater risk, to sign up to our new pollution alert service online today.’

Image credit: Al Elmes