NEW YORK, Nov 23 (Reuters Health) -- Joggers, people with asthma, and other Californians concerned about air quality will be able to get smog alerts via personal pager through a pilot program scheduled to be launched in southern California in January, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).
The organization will join forces with several paging services in a 7-month pilot program to provide immediate smog warnings via pager. If the free pilot program is a success, the agency will start providing the service throughout the area for a monthly fee -- between $7.95 to $10.95 per month -- next summer.
The groups plan to loan alphanumeric pagers to about 50 people in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties for the trial period.
The agency's computer will be programmed to notify the paging companies whenever pollution levels reach hazardous levels. Over 30 air quality monitoring stations throughout the area measure levels of air pollution 24-hours a day, and feed this information to the agency's central computer.
Likely subscribers to the service include people with breathing problems, athletes, and coaches, according to the SCAQMD.
"In the past, we've had to rely on the mass media to alert most people when the air is unhealthful," Barry Wallerstein, the agency's executive officer, said in a statement to the press. "Now, technology will allow us to communicate directly with people through existing paging networks. For the first time, we'll be able to directly alert coaches and recreation department directors of unhealthful air so they can reschedule activities to minimize the exposure of children. We'll be able to reach people with health problems who are more susceptible to smog."
SCAQMD launched the program and other clean air initiatives in response to concerns about worsening air quality in some parts of the region.
Those interested in participating in the pilot program can contact the agency at 909-396-3196.
