Plume Labs has developed an app to help Abu Dhabi residents. They can now plan their outdoor activities based on real time air-quality data available on a smart-device application introduced by the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD).

The app helps residents know about the emirate's air quality in order to better plan for their outdoor activities. The app provides live air quality information, forecasts, messages etc for all major cities across the world, including Abu Dhabi Emirate.The app is available in English and Arabic and incorporates data from EAD's extensive monitoring network as well as historical air quality data sets provided by the EAD.

The main challenge with Abu Dhabi's air quality has always been the desert nature of the emirate and the repeated sand storms that occur during certain seasons of the year. All other pollutants are within global standards. When these dust storms occur, they can trigger respiratory distress from asthmatic attacks or reactive airway disease, particularly if one is not prepared in advance. This is particularly relevant for populations at risk, including children, the elderly, and those who are ill. While asthma could be chronic, by properly monitoring and managing it, people can enjoy a good quality of life.

EAD has been monitoring and assessing air quality since 2007 through an extensive network of 20 stationary and 2 mobile stations set up across the emirate. This data, collected on a minute-by-minute basis, has helped them get an accurate and comprehensive understanding of air quality in Abu Dhabi, determine the sources of air pollutants, and develop programmes, plans and strategies to decrease pollution. 

The Plume Air Report app relies on data from this monitoring network as per EAD. Plume Air Report is available for download free on both iOS and Android platforms.

Source: Gulf News