Overview
- The new service is live on GOV.UK and lets people across the United Kingdom sign up to receive alerts for places that matter to them.
- Users can choose a specific location such as a home address, workplace or local park and get an SMS or email when pollution is forecast to be high.
- Alerts are based on forecasts for five key pollutants—PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and sulphur dioxide (SO2)—all of which are linked to breathing and heart problems.
- Ministers say the launch fulfils a pledge in the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan and sits alongside policy work to simplify industrial permits and consult on tighter rules for new wood‑burning appliances.
- Officials and health experts say the service should help people with asthma, heart disease and other conditions reduce exposure and could, over time, lower NHS costs by preventing pollution‑related ill health.