Clean Air Frome

A network of air quality sensors in Frome, empowering the community to understand the impacts of the air we breathe and to take action.

Air quality in Frome

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Learn more about the project

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Air quality in Frome

Latest pollution readings

Indicates average air pollution level readings over last hour.

Clean Air Frome is a project by Tech Shed Frome in partnership with Frome Town Council, providing live air quality information for the community.

Readings based on UK gov Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) from 1-10 and divided into four bands, low (1) to very high (10).

We've got more sensors coming so keep checking back.

You can also take action and help us grow the sensor network.

How should I interpret the readings?

Whilst every effort has been made to make good quality sensors at a very low cost, they are never going to be as accurate as professional grade sensors worth thousands of pounds. So we suggest you view these readings as an 'indication' of what the readings are. The sensor readings are also only showing you what's been sensed over the last hour.

In the near future we aim to improve accuracy with revisions to the unit and additional senors, as well as the ability to view the data over time, which will give you a better sense of the peaks and troughs throughout the day and weeks.

What's the aim of the project?

Our vision is of a healthy town where everyone can breathe clean air, vehicle use is low and walking and cycling is the norm for local journeys. Clean Air for Frome aims to empower the community to take action by understanding air quality impacts around the town.

Air Pollution Band	Accompanying health messages for at-risk individuals*	Accompanying health messages for the 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.

*Adults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on Low air pollution days. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided below.

What air quality are you measuring?

We measure air quality by capturing the levels of particulate matter. Particulates are produced by vehicle exhaust emissions, dust from vehicle brake linings and burning wood. The particulate matter is measured in 2.5 and 10.0 micron sizes. This is important as smaller particles cause significant health and environmental issues.

Why does air quality matter?

Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK and contributes to 40,000 deaths in the UK each year. Health impacts include coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, lung cancer and asthma. Air quality particularly affects children and older people. The adverse health effects caused by air pollution are increasingly being recognised and debated at a national and international level.

Particulates also have an environmental impact and can contribute to making lakes and streams acidic, depleting nutrients in soil, damaging sensitive forests and farm crops, affecting the diversity of ecosystems and contributing to acid rain effects causing damage to buildings and stonework.

More information on air quality
The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs measure Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone, PM2.5, PM10 and is reported on quarterly.
Mendip District Council monitor Nitrogen Dioxide monthly and report on this annually via their Air status report