Know & Respond - Scotland is a free service to subscribers in Scotland that sends registered users an alert message if air pollution in their area is forecast to be moderate, high or very high. The description of the level of pollution is based upon the Air Quality Banding System.
The alert service is provided for anyone wishing to know about the quality of the air they breathe. Outdoor air pollution can affect anyone, but it has a higher health risk for some groups. This includes children, older people and those with a lung or heart condition. This early warning system allows you to make plan ahead and take action to reduce the effects of air pollution, where relevant.
The Know and Respond System is not designed to report on levels of pollen. For further information on levels of pollen please visit the pollen forecast
How does it work?
Every day around 2 pm, our air quality forecasters issue a detailed pollution forecast for the following day. Under the scheme, anyone who lives or works in the Scotland can sign up to receive free air pollution alerts by mobile phone text message, voicemail or email. You will get a Know & Respond alert whenever air pollution levels are forecast to be MODERATE, HIGH or VERY HIGH. The alert comes with health advice for:
- the general public
- adults and children with heart or lung conditions and older people, as these groups may be more susceptible to the health effects of air pollution
Due to the restricted content of SMS, an abbreviated alert will be sent to SMS subscribers with further details available on the website. In order to receive alerts in full, please select Voicemail or email options when subscribing.
Alerts will be dispatched on the evening before a high pollution day
How to sign up
To register, you need to provide us with some information about yourself. You can choose how you would like to receive your alerts (via email, SMS or voicemail). You may also register on behalf of someone else or a group of people who are susceptible to the effects of air pollution.
Sign up to Know & Respond now!
Read the Terms and Conditions/Limitations
Alternatively, please e-mail us at: info@scottishairquality.co.uk
Relevant links
- Public Health Scotland webpages
- Health Protection Scotland
- Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)
- British Lung Foundation
- The Breathe Easy (part of the British Lung Foundation) support group network provides support and information for people living with a lung condition, and for those who look after them.
- Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.