American Lung Association release free air quality app

The American Lung Association has released a free air quality app called 'State of the Air' which helps users monitor the quality of air in their area and lets them know when it might be best to stay indoors.

State of the Air is a new state of the art app that provides users with real-time updates on levels of ozone and particulate pollution in the atmosphere. These are two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants in the US, which is why the American body is taking extra care to safeguard citizens from excessive levels of the pollutants.

Health apps have become commonplace in America and around the world as they offer personal care that could not otherwise be achieved at health centres or online. This app falls into the preventative category, and will help users decide whether they should stay in and protect their health.

Carrie Martin Munk, a former vice president of communications and marketing for the American Lung Association said: "More than 127 million people live in areas of the country where there are dangerous levels of ozone and particulate pollution, which are the two key pollutants that we address in our new smartphone app.
"We really wanted to empower individuals with the tools that can help them live healthier lives."

Ground-level ozone is very common, and can cause lung irritation and other concerns. Particulates are similarly dangerous to both the heart and lungs, and are linked to several health conditions.

Using information obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the app helps monitor current pollution levels, as well as forecasts for later in the day and the following day. The innovative technology also provides alerts based on the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is a scale showing how clean or polluted the air is. Based on the AQI, the app provides guidelines on whether it might be best to cut back on outdoor activities, especially for at-risk individuals.

Posted by Claire Manning