The most advanced indoor air toxin sensor
The air we breathe is part of our everyday lives, but is something we often take for granted. However, indoor air quality, and the presence of various pollutants, especially indoors, can have a direct impact on our health. Smart home technology has made monitoring and improving indoor air quality easier.
Once installed, smart air monitoring equipment uses a number of sensors to collect and process live indoor air data that gets analyzed, stored, and displayed directly on a smartphone or tablet. Used correctly, these systems track changing conditions, provide suggestions, and alert homeowners to potentially hazardous air contamination. These indoor air quality sensor devices are paving the way towards safer and more informed homeowners, raising awareness to global concerns of air pollution and hazardous contaminants.
Some Common Air Contaminants
Did you know that the average individual spends nearly 90% of their life indoors? Common contaminants could be impacting your indoor air quality while contributing to consistent headaches, allergies, and even respiratory issues. Below are a list of potentially hazardous contaminants that could be negatively impacting your health and creating the need to have an air quality monitor.
Asbestos: Although traditionally found in buildings constructed before 1990, this naturally occurring mineral was frequently used asan additive in construction materials for its durability and fire resistant properties. Finding use in common materials like roofing shingles, cement, caulk, and insulation products, asbestos can be extremely harmful if not properly handled. Once disturbed or broken these microscopic fibers become airborne and are carcinogenic. It’s extremely hard to detect and protect individuals against airborne asbestos. Easily inhaled, asbestos eventually causes diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma (asbestos cancer). Mesothelioma in particular is a rare and aggressive cancer that typically has a poor prognosis. In light of Mesothelioma Awareness Day coming up on September 26th, please join in on the conversation and help spread the word about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Is a common gas found in the atmosphere and is a product of respiration and combustion. CO2 is odorless, however, in high concentrations can be detected as it emits a strong acidic smell. It becomes toxic at levels greater htan 40,000 PPM, affecting the cardiovascular system. Average healthy levels do not exceed 1,000 PPM.
Carbon Monoxide (CO): A toxic, odorless, and tasteless gas released as a byproduct of combustion and can be most commonly found leaking out of furnaces, stoves, or from vehicle exhaust. CO exposure with a concentration of over 800 PPM will cause death within 2-3 hours. Note the difference, CO2 is a natural atmospheric gas released by nearly all breathing things, CO is a sole byproduct of combustion.
Chemicals and VOCs: Common household chemicals and toxic fumes released by building materials, adhesives, and paints can seriously pollute your air. Over time those contaminants can cause headaches, sinus sensitivities, and breathing complications.
Ozone (O3): The product of a chemical reaction between oxide gases and sunlight in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases released by industrial practices and cars are the primary source for the oxides required to create ozone. Long term exposure can lead to development of lung cancer, whereas short-term exposure to levels over 5PPM can cause serious harm or even death.
Particulate Matter (PM): Common airborne particulates like dust, pollen, mold spores, soot, and acids are unable to be processed and removed by the body. Extended exposure by residents with allergies or respiratory issues are at risk of developing worsening conditions.
Use technology to your advantage
Smart indoor air quality control systems like the uHoo, configures multiple sensors into one practical unit. Once paired with a smartphone, homeowners can view live data that provides an accurate assessment of indoor air quality. Replacing multiple air monitoring detectors, the uHoo will alert you about smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, PM, and VOC-like chemicals. Smart technology takes the guess work out of measuring and tracking indoor air quality, providing homeowners with live information and helpful suggestions that can inspire them to take action against air toxins.
There’s no limit to the possibilities of smart home tech. One day, the universal collection of home air quality test data could act as a third party audit, that once analyzed and compared, allows individuals, neighbors, and even cities to compete against each other in real time; while actively engaging each other and improving indoor air quality.
Protecting our health is important, and it goes beyond exercise and eating well. The quality of the air we breathe matters, which means we have to detect and address the contaminants that can be controlled. When used correctly, smart air monitoring systems engage homeowners, encourage research, and provide helpful suggestions for addressing contamination issues. Whether you’re a curious homeowner and concerned citizen, smart technology can help you make lasting changes to your own air quality!
