What does it mean when my air quality is unhealthy?

Everyone exposed to the air may begin to experience adverse health effects. Members of sensitive groups like children, seniors, or people with respiratory issues may experience more severe health effects.

How do I monitor the air quality in my home?

Buy an air quality monitor to check the levels of allergens, dust, chemicals, humidity, and pollutants in your home. Additionally, install carbon monoxide detectors and purchase a radon test kit to check radon levels.

Can air quality monitors detect mold?

Most air quality monitors can detect mold. If mold is a concern for you, make sure the monitor you buy specifies that it will detect mold.

How does a carbon monoxide sensor work?

They work by sounding an alarm when sensing a certain amount of carbon monoxide in the air building up over time. Different sensors set off different types of alerts. For example, for a biomimetic sensor, a gel changes color when absorbing carbon monoxide. This color change triggers the alarm.

How do you know you have a carbon monoxide leak in your house?

Some signs to look for include dripping or heavy condensation on the windows where an appliance is installed, sooty or brownish-yellow stains around an appliance, stale or stuffy air, like the smell of something overheating or burning. Also, look for soot, fumes, smoke, or back-draft in the house from a fireplace, chimney, or other fuel-burning equipment.

Does carbon monoxide make you sleepy?

Yes, even mild exposure to it can make you tired. People often get flu-like symptoms and miss the signs because they assume they're sick.

What happens if your air quality monitor detects carbon monoxide?

Turn off appliances and other sources of combustion. Get fresh air into the premises right away. Call a technician and have the problem sorted out before restarting appliances. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of poisoning: headaches, vomiting, dizziness, call the fire department and immediately move to a place that has fresh air. Do a headcount to be sure everyone in the home is accounted for. Don't re-enter until it has been aired out, and the problem corrected.

Should you have a smart air quality monitor in every room?

Air quality monitoring devices should be installed on each floor of your home, including your basement.

What are the six different levels of air quality?

Air quality levels are labeled as: Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous. Everyone may be at risk is the air quality in your home ranges between Unhealthy to Hazardous.

What are common indoor air pollutants?

Carbon monoxide, radon, nitrogen dioxide, secondhand smoke, VOCs, lead particles, asbestos, dust mites, and mold are common indoor air pollutants.

How do air quality monitors work?

They work on the principle of measuring the reduction of the value of infrared radiation in the air. The more CO2, the more the infrared radiation is reduced in value, and electronics in the sensor will then evaluate it.

What does an air quality monitor do?

An air quality monitor measures the level of common air pollutants. Monitors are available for both indoor and outdoor settings. They work on the principle of measuring the reduction of the value of infrared radiation in the air. The more CO2, the more the infrared radiation is reduced in value, and electronics in the sensor will then evaluate it. They measure temperature and humidity, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other gases.

How do I know if mold is making me sick?

Symptoms may include sore throat, headache, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and fatigue. For those with asthma, they may have an asthma attack. For those with impaired immune systems, severe infections can occur.

What are the symptoms of poor air quality?

Dryness and eye irritation, nose, throat, and skin, fatigue, headache, dizziness, coughing and sneezing, sinus congestion, shortness of breath. Some may have allergic reactions.

Can poor air quality make you sick?

Yes. People usually notice their symptoms after several hours in an environment. They feel better after they’ve left the building, or when they’ve been away from the environment for an extended period.

Learn about Smart Air Quality Monitor

Air quality monitors have sensors that measure a variety of air conditions in your home. Many air quality monitors can measure temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other gases, as well as particulate matter in the air. Air quality monitors can often be connected to your smart home hub or accessed via a smartphone app.

When considering what air quality monitor is best for you, it's important to understand what you are looking to monitor. Then look for simple, affordable sensors that are compatible with your smart home or provide a smartphone app if they don't include a visual display.

By knowing more about the air quality in your home, you can protect your home and family from common air-related issues that can cause headaches, fatigue, respiratory and sinus issues, dizziness, mold, and more!

The Great London Smog of 1952 brought about a great turning point in the way we think about air pollution. This led to the introduction of the Clean Air Act, where humanity began to define a change in fuel sources, energy, and how to combat the excess pollutants and toxins we introduce into the air. These types of events led to the creation of large scale environmental sensors and, eventually, affordable personal use sensors.