In the United Kingdom, most air pollution information services use the index and banding system recommended by the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) , known as the Daily Air Quality Index. This system uses an index numbered 1-10, divided into four bands ranging from low to very high, to provide more detail about air pollution levels in a simple way.
Air Quality Bands Health Information (2012)
|
Air Pollution |
Value |
Accompanying health messages for at-risk groups |
|
|
At-risk individuals* |
General Population |
||
|
Low |
1-3 |
Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. |
Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. |
|
Moderate |
4-6 |
Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors. |
Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. |
|
High |
7-9 |
Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion. |
Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors. |
|
Very High |
10 |
Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. |
Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat. |
* Adults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on Low air pollution days.
Boundaries between Index Points for each pollutant
|
Band |
Index |
Nitrogen Dioxide |
Sulphur Dioxide |
PM2.5 Particles |
PM10 Particles |
|
hourly mean |
15 minute mean |
24 hour running mean |
24 hour running mean |
||
|
µgm-3 |
µgm-3 |
µgm-3 |
µgm-3 (Grav. Equiv.) |
||
|
Low |
|||||
|
|
1 |
0 - 66 |
0 - 88 |
0 - 11 |
0 - 16 |
|
2 |
67 - 133 |
89 - 176 |
12 - 23 |
17 - 33 |
|
|
3 |
134 - 199 |
177 - 265 |
24 - 34 |
34 - 39 |
|
|
Moderate |
|||||
|
|
4 |
200 - 267 |
266 - 354 |
35 - 41 |
50 - 58 |
|
5 |
268 - 334 |
355 - 442 |
42 - 46 |
59 - 66 |
|
|
6 |
335 - 399 |
443 - 531 |
47 - 52 |
67 - 74 |
|
|
High |
|||||
|
|
7 |
400 - 467 |
532 - 708 |
53 - 58 |
75 - 83 |
|
8 |
468 - 534 |
709 - 886 |
59 - 64 |
84 - 91 |
|
|
9 |
535 - 599 |
887 - 1063 |
65 - 69 |
92 - 99 |
|
|
Very High |
|||||
|
|
10 |
600 or more |
1064 or more |
70 or more |
100 or more |
Contact
Email: pollution.control@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel: 01382 433710 Option 6