Department of Environment and Natural Resources
TopEnd residents with lung conditions such as asthma are set to breathe a littleeasier following todays launch of the Northern Territorys AirRater smartphone app.
TheNorthern Territory Government, through Environment Grant funding, has supportedthe University of Tasmania to develop and release the AirRater app in theNorthern Territory.
The AirRater app alerts vulnerable residents when they are at risk fromair-borne pollutants such as smoke from wildfires.
Theapp can also:
Check the air quality and temperature at any location
See the location of bushfires and planned burns
Set up saved locations so users can quickly view what is happening inareas frequently visited
Userscan also keep a record on the one mobile device of:
Their symptoms such as runny/itchy nose, watery eyes, shortness ofbreath or sore throat
Associated triggers such as smoke, dust, exercise or temperatures
The type of medication used (if any) such as an asthma reliever orantihistamine
TheAirRater app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and GooglePlay for Android devices.
Departmentof Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) director of environmentaloperations, Peter Vasel, thanked the University of Tasmania for developing theAirRater app, made possible through a $22,790 Northern Territory Governmentgrant.
Thequality of the air we breathe can have a huge impact on our health, especiallyfor people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, Mr Vasel said
Iurge anyone with asthma or other lung conditions to download the app so theycan all breathe a little easier.
TheAirRater service was developed by a team from the University of Tasmania, ledby Associate Professor Fay Johnston, and is currently used in Tasmania,Victoria and the ACT.
AirRaterapp project manager, Dr Penelope Jones, was in Darwin today for the apps launchand said the NT version would also notify users about forecast extreme heatconditions so they can make more informed decisions before undertaking strenuous,outdoor activity.
Thisapp will help Territorians take action to protect their health, Dr Jones said.
Theapp can provide people with individualised reports, showing how environmentalconditions impact their symptoms and will also alert people when thoseconditions exist, so they know when they need to take action.
AsthmaFoundation NT lead educator Leanne Elliott-Holmes said asthma affects almost 10per cent of Territorians and this app would help users better manage theirsymptoms.
Thisapp is also beneficial for parents who have children with asthma so they canbetter plan family outings and avoid areas that might trigger symptoms, MsElliott-Holmes said.
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