catch 22

[micox]

Hi. Great news about the new pollution monitor on BLF's news sheet. Only one thing wrong: you have to have a smartphone for it to work. There's no signal here so I aint got one and buying one just for that would send the expense far too high. Come on BLF, press for a cheap hand held monitor that will do the job on its own; or get the NHS to supply one!

[Hidden]

Well I have got a smartphone but don't even know to put numbers or type in it yet! Or how to get a message or calls. I haven't a clue about aps or monitors?

I wonder if the powers that be think we are all youngsters who are up on technology? Bearing in mind most of us are older I too wish things could be made easier for us.

[mrsmummy in reply to Hidden]

Agreed. I have passed this feedback on.

[Hidden in reply to mrsmummy]

Thanks mrsmummy.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

We appreciate that not everyone has a smartphone or wants one, but that the company kindly offered monitors to our supporters so we wanted to make them available to people who can use them.

If anyone wants to quickly check local air pollution levels, we would recommend logging onto the DEFRA website - this is the best link: uk-air.defra.gov.uk/latest/... - they also have a helpline that you can ring on 03459 33 55 77

Best wishes,

Ben

BLF Admin

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Ben. Not criticising but can you tell me what a monitor is and what it does please? Is it something you plug into your device? Do you put it on the wall? Sorry if I am being thick.

Thanks for the info in language I can understand! x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No problem Hidden

It's a small device that you can carry around with you to track your exposure to air pollution. This particular monitor 'links up' to your smartphone so that you can see on your phone the data on what you have been exposed to and when.

This one that we're talking about is just one type of monitor and it is the cheapest and smallest available.

There are others you can get which are portable and also ones that you fix to a wall or similar to monitor exposure in a single location (these ones will probably be more expensive) - you can search on Google for ones that are out on the market at the moment.

Hope this helps

Best wishes,

Ben

BLF Admin

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh blimey that all sounds very clever :0

[stone-UK]

Hi

£49 for a CO2 monitor plus app. App works in background draining battery.

Amazon do one for £26 pounds.

[Hidden]

stone-UK I wouldn't know a monitor or app if I fell over it

[peege]

I just look at the DEFRA Pollution Forecast, it's brilliant. IE it's a 2, low here in London today. I've usually got it open on iPad so can check anywhere in the country. Try it. Forecasts for 7 days

[Nottobad in reply to peege]

Just tried it. It's 2 in Edinburgh today.

[Hidden]

Sadly I cannot afford to buy a £50.00 gadget. But I can detect just how polluted the air is in London the moment I step off a bus. A two hour trip into central London results in a painful pharynx, throat/larynx and wheezy chest lasting 2-3 days.

[Hidden]

I am so glad I moved out of London many years ago. Goodness knows how bad I would be today if I had stayed. I still miss London for lots of things but the traffic pollution isn't one of them. I am going up there for a few days soon so am trying to get fitter.