Eric Paulos of Intel Research has launched an SMS system for mobile phone users in the US to learn about the quality of the air around them. [via boingboing]

Called Ergo, the system uses data from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s airnow.gov site and airnow.gov. The number to text is 415.624.6678 and here’s a a summary of the commands:

f you text…

* a 5 digit zip code = you receive the most recent air quality reports for that area (ex. 94704)

* the word worst = you receive the worst three locations in the US as currently reported (ex. worst)

* daily zip time = you receive a report every day at the specified time for the given zip code. The time should be in 24-hour format and uses the time zone associated with the zip code given. (ex. daily 10011 1300) for daily air quality for New York City at 1pm Eastern Time

* daily worst time = you receive a report every day at the specified time of the worst air quality in the United States. The time should be in 24-hour format and interprets the time as Pacific Time Zone. (ex. daily worst 0900) for daily report of worst air quality at 9am Pacific Time