airText Launch

Harrow is part of an innovative new service which helps Londoners likely to suffer from the effects of air pollution through sending them alerts to their mobile phone based on the air quality in their area. The free service, launched by Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron at City Hall is aimed at Londoners who suffer from illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, and heart disease.

airTEXT works by sending alerts and health advice to those people who are most likely to be affected on days when air pollution is elevated in their area. Advance warning of higher pollution levels allows individuals to take precautionary measures such as remaining indoors, avoiding excessive exercise or carrying their reliever medication with them.

Under the scheme, people can sign-up to receive local air pollution alerts by mobile phone text message, voicemail or email. People can register for the alerts online at www.airtext.info or by calling the airTEXT co-ordinators on 020 8760 5483.

Launching the event, Deputy Mayor of London, Nicky Gavron said: ‘Air pollution causes around one thousand premature deaths each year and we must do everything we can to cut emissions. This service will provide people with crucial information about peak periods of air pollution localised for their part of London so they can take action. It could literally save lives’.

airText launch at City Hall with Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron
Harrow is part of a consortium supporting the airText initiative