NEWS RELEASE Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR Out of hours: 020 7270 8960

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The most detailed information on regional air quality ever issued to the UK public will be updated hourly on a new website launched today. The new, user friendly website and improved bulletin service will help everyone from businesses to asthma sufferers planning a day out.

The Government today also published a new leaflet which explains where to get up-to-date information on current levels of air pollution, what air pollution can mean for your health, and what you can do about it.

Today's launch was also endorsed by the National Asthma Campaign, who said:

"The National Asthma Campaign supports Defra's launch of the improved Air Pollution Information Service. We welcome any measures that offer advice and information on current pollution levels in local areas, which will help people with asthma manage their condition better - whether it be by making necessary changes in medication or by helping them avoid air pollution, especially on days of high traffic congestion and low air quality."

Notes for editors

1. The improved air pollution bulletin service is available by Freephone (0800 556677) and Teletext (page 155). This provides up-to-date information on air pollution in over 30 regions of the UK.

2. The leaflet Air pollution: what it means for your health has been revised and updated to take account of significant improvements to the public information service and to offer more associated health advice. It is published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in partnership with the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive, and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The leaflet is available, free of charge, from:

Defra Publications
Admail 6000
London SW1A 2XX

Tel 08459 556000
Fax 020 8957 5012
e-mail:defra@iforcegroup.com The leaflet is also available via the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/index.htm

3. The new Air Quality Archive is at www.airquality.co.uk. It is operated by netcen, on behalf of Defra, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly of Wales and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The former UK National Air Quality Information Archive has been comprehensively restyled and now includes a detailed section on Local Air Quality Management.

4. The information and the air pollution forecast are also sent by e-mail, free of charge, every day to a variety of outlets including regional and national newspapers, television and radio stations, environmental groups, local authorities, and international organisations. If you would like to be added to this individual service, ring the Government's contractors at netcen (Paul Willis on 01235 463191, e-mail:paul.willis@aeat.co.uk)

Public Enquiries: 08459 335577

Press Notices available via DEFRA website

http://www.defra.gov.uk

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