Air Quality Lockdown

Make more informed decisions

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs launched a new air quality app recently:

“to help people to make more informed and immediate decisions about their outdoor activities”.

The new NI Air App


Launching the App Minister Edwin Poots said:

“If you’ve any breathing difficulties, this app provides free critical information allowing you to take necessary preventative measures to avoid air pollution and protect your health when at home or on-the-go.”


So, if you suffer from respiratory problems, the App lets you know when you should confine yourself to the house? An air quality Lockdown?

What does it measure?

The App is linked in to 9 councils areas - all with Air Quality Monitoring Areas (AQMAs). Between them, they monitor 19 areas.
These monitor Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10). NO2 is exhaust fumes. PM10 is generated by burning domestic fuel and again – cars. Half of the road transport PM10 is from combusted fuel, the other half from tyres, brakes and road dust.

    As the table below shows, road traffic is the always a trigger.

    Air pollution in Northern Ireland 2018

    V2.0

    Essentially the App monitors pollution caused by car exhausts, brakes, tyres and road dust.
    We thought we'd make a small change to the App to let users know why they may be entering an Air Quality Lockdown.

    The NI Air T-shirt

    We also though it might make a lovely new CYCUL T-shirt?

    Let us know if you're interested.

    NI Air App

    Thanks to @malohara for the heads-up.