1. Citation and Link "Pune, Delhi Get App to Check Air Pollution Levels." TimesofIndia.IndiaTimes.com. The Times of India, 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 04 Oct. 2015.
2. Quotes
"...the app will warn people about the quality of air and help them make adjustments to their personal outdoor plans based on the advisory on their handset."
"It will not only help them think about sustainable methodologies, but also give them adequate warning on how they should respond towards a particular air quality hazard, providing its health implications and how best it could be avoided." -Shailesh Naik, secretary to the Union government, Ministry of Earth Sciences
3. Main Point
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, the IITM, and the IMD have collaborated to create a smartphone-accessible app (SAFAR-Air) that displays the daily air quality, and can warn people based on the readings. This app will help people to plan their days around the air quality, so has to limit exposure on particularly bad days. Also, the app is meant to help people get in to a conscientious mind set regarding how they personally can affect the air quality. The creators of the app hope to raise awareness of the fossil fuel emission issue via the app. The app is currently operable in Delhi and Pune, and soon to be in Mumbai.
4. Actors
Ministry of Earth Sciences- The Ministry developed the apps predecessor, the country's first air quality forecasting device. They also supported the actual production of the application.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)- The IITM was where the app was produced, and is now partially run from there.
India Meteorology Department (IMD)- The IMD works with the IITM to run the app.
Gufran Beig- SAFAR project director
Shailesh Naik- secretary to the Union government, Ministry of Earth Sciences. Naik's launching of the app at IITM was quoted in the article.
5. Causation/Responsibility Implied
The collaboration of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IITM, and IMD was behind the creation of this potentially useful app.
6. Health Disparities/Equity Issues
The article itself did not address and health disparities or equity issues.
7. Follow Up
As a follow up, I downloaded the app (SAFAR-Air) from the Google Play Store. Generally, I'd say it was quick and effective, although it requires either a Wi-Fi or 4G connection to refresh. The cities available are now Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. The app allows you to view the air quality for today and tomorrow in each locality of the the cities.
"Pune, Delhi Get App to Check Air Pollution Levels." TimesofIndia.IndiaTimes.com. The Times of India, 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 04 Oct. 2015.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Pune-Delhi-get-app-to-check-air-pollution-levels/articleshow/46279499.cms
2. Quotes
"...the app will warn people about the quality of air and help them make adjustments to their personal outdoor plans based on the advisory on their handset."
"It will not only help them think about sustainable methodologies, but also give them adequate warning on how they should respond towards a particular air quality hazard, providing its health implications and how best it could be avoided." -Shailesh Naik, secretary to the Union government, Ministry of Earth Sciences
3. Main Point
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, the IITM, and the IMD have collaborated to create a smartphone-accessible app (SAFAR-Air) that displays the daily air quality, and can warn people based on the readings. This app will help people to plan their days around the air quality, so has to limit exposure on particularly bad days. Also, the app is meant to help people get in to a conscientious mind set regarding how they personally can affect the air quality. The creators of the app hope to raise awareness of the fossil fuel emission issue via the app. The app is currently operable in Delhi and Pune, and soon to be in Mumbai.
4. Actors
Ministry of Earth Sciences- The Ministry developed the apps predecessor, the country's first air quality forecasting device. They also supported the actual production of the application.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)- The IITM was where the app was produced, and is now partially run from there.
India Meteorology Department (IMD)- The IMD works with the IITM to run the app.
Gufran Beig- SAFAR project director
Shailesh Naik- secretary to the Union government, Ministry of Earth Sciences. Naik's launching of the app at IITM was quoted in the article.
5. Causation/Responsibility Implied
The collaboration of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IITM, and IMD was behind the creation of this potentially useful app.
6. Health Disparities/Equity Issues
The article itself did not address and health disparities or equity issues.
7. Follow Up
As a follow up, I downloaded the app (SAFAR-Air) from the Google Play Store. Generally, I'd say it was quick and effective, although it requires either a Wi-Fi or 4G connection to refresh. The cities available are now Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. The app allows you to view the air quality for today and tomorrow in each locality of the the cities.