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Table 1 Health advice accompanying the UK AQI

From: Psychosocial and demographic predictors of adherence and non-adherence to health advice accompanying air quality warning systems: a systematic review

Air pollution Banding

Value

Accompanying health messages for at-risk groups and the general population

At-risk individualsa

General population

Low

1–3

Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.

Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.

Moderate

4–6

Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors.

Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.

High

7–9

Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion

Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.

Very High

10

Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.

Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.

  1. aAdults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms
  2. Italicised word in original [6]