People in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham are now able to check live air pollution levels near them on a new online tool developed by the three boroughs.
The tool, known as Air Aware, shows live particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels, helping people to make informed choices about their exposure to air quality.
It uses a chatbot that can provide verified advice in direct response to questions that users ask, which can help people better protect themselves from the impact of air pollution.
Each borough has been working with local residents over the past six months to design and create a tool with information that residents want on air quality.
While air quality has improved significantly in London over the last decade, people’s hearts and lungs are affected if they are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution, particularly over longer periods of time.
Air pollution is has been associated with low birth weights, poorer academic performance and a decline in cognitive abilities, linked to dementia. Air pollution can affect us all so taking preventative measures can help to improve everyone’s health.
Air Aware uses a web-based platform so that it can be viewed on a mobile device, laptop or computer. The three councils have worked with a developer and local residents to design a tool that is accessible to all including features such as translation and text to speak. To help reach a wide audience, publicly accessible screens have been installed at various locations across the project area, including Idea Stores and Tower Hamlets Council’s Town Hall.
Air Aware brings together information from across the participating boroughs into one place and will keep residents informed about local initiatives and campaigns which they can get involved in. Users will also be able to register for a more personalised experience so that they can receive information tailored to their locality and their interests.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“Improving air quality and tackling the causes of air pollution is crucial to the health of our residents. Residents have worked alongside experts and designers to co-create this Air Aware tool, which empowers individuals to take action around air pollution.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with Hackney and Newham, who share similar challenges to Tower Hamlets as densely populated and rapidly growing urban boroughs. Together, we can make a big difference to the air quality in east London, which will improve health outcomes for residents and ensure a cleaner, greener future for us all.”
Air Aware was developed through funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and is one of many ways Tower Hamlets is taking action on air pollution which can all be found in the borough’s Air Quality Action Plan.
The council has an extensive network of monitors collecting data on pollutants and Air Aware will help to improve public access to this vital data.
Find out more about Tower Hamlets’ work to tackle air pollution and view pollution monitoring at: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/airpollution
Air Aware is live for residents to view at: www.air-aware.co.uk
Posted on Thursday 1st February 2024