Air Quality Alert

Just a word of warning that air quality overnight was poor across most of the British Isles last night, and continues to be poor. The PM levels are above the WHO 24 hour means, and in the West Midlands the "official AQI US" on the Sensor Community (Luftdaten) map varies between "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and "unhealthy". The two official air quality sensors in Birmingham agree with this assessment.

It is best to stay indoors with the windows shut, especially if you are in a sensitive group, such as people with asthma. However, if you have to go out, don't forget that cars tend to trap and concentrate pollution in the cabin, so it's probably better to go by bike at a moderate pace, preferably wearing a PM2.5 mask. Keep an eye on the map to see when levels return to more acceptable levels.

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