Menu
28/09/2021
Air Pollution Alert System Improved
Northern Ireland's High Air Pollution Alert Protocol is to be changed in order to improve how the public are informed when periods of high air pollution are forecast or being experienced.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Department of Health (DoH) have worked in collaboration to update the system to make better use of social media platforms to disseminate information about high levels of air pollution to the public, health professionals and those in high risk groups. The use of social media is in addition to DAERA's existing SMS alert service, Air Quality NI website and Mobile App.
Welcoming the improvements to the alert protocol, Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: "With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting our daily lives it is more important than ever to ensure that the public are alerted as soon as possible to forecast or actual High Air Pollution events. The revised protocol utilises social media as a form of getting this information out to the public at a greater pace and informing a larger proportion of the population.
"Interest in the quality of the air we breathe has grown massively over recent years, and the improvement of this alert system allows people with underlying health issues such as heart and lung conditions, or asthma to get more localised information when they need it."
Health Minister Robin Swann also supported this work and has encouraged the public to sign up to receive the alerts by downloading the NI Air app.
Minister Swann explained: "If you suffer from, or care for anyone with health conditions that may be exacerbated by high air pollution events I would urge you download the 'Northern Ireland Air' Mobile App, which offers a push notification service that sends a notification to the user's mobile phone when levels of elevated pollutants are detected or the air quality forecast has identified elevated levels of pollutants. Alternatively, you can sign up to the 'Air Aware' SMS-alert service."
Minister Poots concluded: "Northern Ireland tends to experience seasonal fluctuations in certain types of air pollutants due to behavioral changes as a result of colder weather. Therefore, as we approach autumn/winter, I would ask everyone to consider their actions when it comes to heating their homes using the most efficient methods available. I would encourage everyone to visit the Northern Ireland Air website for more information on what we can all do to reduce air pollution."
Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Department of Health (DoH) have worked in collaboration to update the system to make better use of social media platforms to disseminate information about high levels of air pollution to the public, health professionals and those in high risk groups. The use of social media is in addition to DAERA's existing SMS alert service, Air Quality NI website and Mobile App.
Welcoming the improvements to the alert protocol, Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: "With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting our daily lives it is more important than ever to ensure that the public are alerted as soon as possible to forecast or actual High Air Pollution events. The revised protocol utilises social media as a form of getting this information out to the public at a greater pace and informing a larger proportion of the population.
"Interest in the quality of the air we breathe has grown massively over recent years, and the improvement of this alert system allows people with underlying health issues such as heart and lung conditions, or asthma to get more localised information when they need it."
Health Minister Robin Swann also supported this work and has encouraged the public to sign up to receive the alerts by downloading the NI Air app.
Minister Swann explained: "If you suffer from, or care for anyone with health conditions that may be exacerbated by high air pollution events I would urge you download the 'Northern Ireland Air' Mobile App, which offers a push notification service that sends a notification to the user's mobile phone when levels of elevated pollutants are detected or the air quality forecast has identified elevated levels of pollutants. Alternatively, you can sign up to the 'Air Aware' SMS-alert service."
Minister Poots concluded: "Northern Ireland tends to experience seasonal fluctuations in certain types of air pollutants due to behavioral changes as a result of colder weather. Therefore, as we approach autumn/winter, I would ask everyone to consider their actions when it comes to heating their homes using the most efficient methods available. I would encourage everyone to visit the Northern Ireland Air website for more information on what we can all do to reduce air pollution."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 December 2013
Air Pollution Text Service Launched
A new service has been launched that will enable air pollution updates to be sent by text message. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched Air Aware, aimed at people who have existing chronic health conditions such as asthma or heart disease, so they can choose to limit their time outdoors or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
Air Pollution Text Service Launched
A new service has been launched that will enable air pollution updates to be sent by text message. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched Air Aware, aimed at people who have existing chronic health conditions such as asthma or heart disease, so they can choose to limit their time outdoors or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
17 June 2022
Lack Of Clean Air Strategy A 'Dereliction Of Duty'
Executive Parties have been accused of a "dereliction of duty" for failing to bring forward a Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. Green party Deputy leader Mal O'Hara made the comments as he marked "another Clean Air day without a Clean Air Strategy".
Lack Of Clean Air Strategy A 'Dereliction Of Duty'
Executive Parties have been accused of a "dereliction of duty" for failing to bring forward a Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. Green party Deputy leader Mal O'Hara made the comments as he marked "another Clean Air day without a Clean Air Strategy".
26 November 2020
NI's First Ever Clean Air Strategy Launched
With some 800 deaths per year associated with air pollution, Northern Ireland's first ever Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
NI's First Ever Clean Air Strategy Launched
With some 800 deaths per year associated with air pollution, Northern Ireland's first ever Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
30 April 2019
Extent Of NI's Air Pollution Problem Uncovered
The Green Party has warned that polluted and poisonous air across areas of Northern Ireland is contributing to illness and early death. An investigation by party activist groups across the Belfast and Ards & North Down areas found that dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide (N02) were in the air- with levels breaching legal limits at 29 sites.
Extent Of NI's Air Pollution Problem Uncovered
The Green Party has warned that polluted and poisonous air across areas of Northern Ireland is contributing to illness and early death. An investigation by party activist groups across the Belfast and Ards & North Down areas found that dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide (N02) were in the air- with levels breaching legal limits at 29 sites.
25 February 2019
High Air Pollution Levels Forecast For NI- DAERA
The current weather conditions have prompted a warning for moderate levels of air pollution across Northern Ireland this week. Heightened levels, classed as when there is more sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and other substances in the air, are expected to persist until Wednesday 27 February, with the situation improving from Thursday onwards.
High Air Pollution Levels Forecast For NI- DAERA
The current weather conditions have prompted a warning for moderate levels of air pollution across Northern Ireland this week. Heightened levels, classed as when there is more sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and other substances in the air, are expected to persist until Wednesday 27 February, with the situation improving from Thursday onwards.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
