Individuals interpretation of air quality information: follow up investigation into the proposed air quality health advice

The need for high quality, accessible and understandable health advice linked to air pollution has been demonstrated by numerous researchers (Payne-Sturges et al., 2004, Semenza et al., 2008, Shooter and Brimblecoomb 2008, Smallbone 2009). The current health advice, developed in 1988 by the Committee of the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP), does not now fulfil the needs and requirements of the public (Smallbone 2010). COMEAP’s Standards Advisory Subgroup (CSAS) has developed a revised air quality banding system. New health advice linked to the revised air quality bandings was devised and passed before a series of focus groups for comment. The following recommendations have been developed in light of the findings from this piece of qualitative research