Air Quality Meter: Everything that You Need to Know
Have you ever wondered what’s in the air you’re breathing? A majority of people spend most of their time indoors either in the office or at home. The quality of the air is important as it can affect your health and comfort.
The release of gas and other harmful particles in the air can cause indoor pollution. Such pollutants in the air can trigger allergy symptoms, asthma, or other diseases.
So, it becomes quite important to monitor the airborne contaminants in the environment with an air quality meter. Below, we have come up with a detailed explanation about air quality meters.
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What is air quality meter?
The chemicals and products we use in the kitchen for cooking can be the primary cause of indoor pollution. An air quality meter monitors the quality of the air, indoor and outdoor in real-time.
They are used to track the air condition and pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), smoke, carbon monoxide (CO), fog, dust, sulfur dioxide, etc.
An indoor air quality meter can also detect and measure humidity level and other primary pollutants, such as Volatile organic compounds (VOC), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Ammonia (NH3), and particle matter (PM 2.5). These pollutants are caused by indoor décor, cooling and heating systems, dust, construction, vehicle emissions, industrial waste gas, etc.
These contaminants in the air can enter our body through the respiratory system, travel through the whole body, and slowly damage our heart and vital organs.
This meter is quite essential for identifying airborne contaminants at various work sites for the safety and protection of the workers. There are portable, compact, handheld, and fixed air quality meters available in the market.
How Does an Air Quality Meter Works?
An air quality meter uses advanced technology to detect the air quality level. The meter comes with sensors for detecting the quality of a particular gas. These meters come with electrochemical sensors that can detect any gas and which can be reduced or oxidized electro-chemically.
The electro-chemical sensors receive minute amounts of gas, and the included diffusion barrier controls the absorption of gas and the electrical output. The amount of oxygen and carbon monoxide present in the air is measured by using this process.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is determined by measuring the amount of infrared beam’s energy left after being transmitted through a sample, and that is converted into a reading.
The air quality of an area is measured by using the AQI – Air Quality Index ranging from 0 to 500. If the AQI value is below 50, then it means there is less pollution and the air quality is satisfactory. The AQI value equal or below 100 is also somewhat satisfactory.
If the AQI value is above 150, it means the air quality is unhealthy and may affect the health of the people. The higher the value of the AQI, the worse and unhealthy it is for everyone. This index is applicable for both indoor and outdoor air quality meter.
Portable air quality meters are mostly used by professionals to measure the air quality of different areas outdoor. For indoors, you need to purchase the best indoor air quality meter that can be mounted on the wall.
You need to place them depending on the pollutant you want to track. For example, if you want to track methane, then you have to place the air quality meter near the ceiling as a high concentration of methane is found near the ceiling in buildings.
Place the sensor in the middle if you want to track carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. The sensors will detect the gas and will record the data. Avoid placing them near windows or doors.
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Wrap Up
Before improving the air quality in your home, you need to analyze them. The safety standards of every region vary according to the different pollutants.
By checking the status of the air in your home with an air quality meter, you will benefit your kids and family and will help them in leading a healthy life. If the air quality in your home is worse, then you need to take preventive measures to improve it.
You can improve the air quality in your home by introducing a proper ventilation system, controlling the pollutants, and by keeping the humidity level moderate.
