Scotland first UK nation to launch pollution alert system

A pollution alert system has been launched in Scotland in a bid to make information more accessible and improve public health.

It is the first UK nation to offer pollution alerts.

A report last year found Scotland's major cities are being exposed to "dangerous levels" of air pollution.

Know & Respond alerts those who sign up to the system when poor air quality is forecast for the day ahead.

Users get alerts via text message or email.

Poor air quality can particularly affect people with heart conditions, asthma and other breathing problems.

"Know & Respond has been developed as another way to help the public get the information they need quickly, and at the touch of a button," said Stewart Stevenson, Scotland's environment and climate change minister.

People can subscribe to the service through the Scottish Air Quality website.

A study published in December by WWF Scotland found the country has failed to meet European targets to curb air pollution, mainly as a result of fumes from road traffic.

Analysis by the environmental charity found levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in parts of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth are all in breach of EU targets designed to safeguard human health.

Posted by Lauren Steadman