This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Air quality information
16/05/2002
People are to get better information about the quality of the air they breathe, its effect on their health, and what they can do about it with the publication of a new leaflet and website today.
An improved air pollution bulletin service is also launched, available by Freephone - 0800 556677 - and Teletext (page 155). It provides detailed, regional air pollution summary information updated every hour.
Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson said:
"A key part of our air quality strategy is to give out clear and up to date information on levels of air pollution. Whilst air quality in Scotland is generally good we do still get periods when air quality is poor and can affect the health of vulnerable people.
"It is therefore important that everyone has access to clear and easy to understand information about the current levels of air pollution around them and what it means for their health.
"This new leaflet explains the improvements that have been made to the information service, and how best to access and use the information. I welcome the fact that the information service is now able to give more localised information on pollution levels across Scotland."
The leaflet Air pollution: what it means for your health was first published in 1998 as an easy to understand, guide about the Air Pollution Public Information Bulletin and the associated health advice. The leaflet has been revised and updated to take account of significant improvements to the public information service and to offer more in the way of associated health advice.
The new Air Quality Archive is at www.airquality.co.uk and is operated on behalf of the UK administrations by NETCEN. It provides detailed, regional pollution summary information updated hourly. It also includes a detailed section on Local Air Quality Management.
Improvements include:
- introduction of more user-friendly pages aimed specifically at the public
- the structure of the website has been simplified and rearranged to give easier access to air quality information
- air pollution data and statistics are maintained in a database that allows easier interrogation and access to information
- improved search facilities for research reports and contract information by for example keyword, author, date of publication
- availability of more up-to-date data and statistics
- more tools and information for local air quality management
- a comprehensive restyling