The world we live in keeps on changing with time. The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed it in several ways, though unexpectedly. Previously, we all used to think life is when we are outside our homes. But the perception changed suddenly, with the risk of contracting Coronavirus infection when going outside. Staying at home then became the need of the hour. The fewer individuals you are around, the lower will be the chance of infection.
While following the safety precautions, we almost forgot about indoor air pollution. You might have heard that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than the air outside. The indoor concentration of various pollutants has increased considerably, making us more vulnerable to health issues.
Indoor air pollution can be one of many other things in life that are left unnoticed. When you are aware of it, it is time to step forward and check indoor air quality. You can use top-rated air quality monitors to ensure that the air inside your homes is free from pollutants that can harm you.
Here are some why you should use indoor air quality monitors:
- To Control Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a quantifiable parameter that defines the environment inside a building and its impact on human health. Unlike the outdoor air, the air within your home is recycled constantly, causing more pollutants to get trapped inside. A poor IAQ implies a higher concentration of indoor pollutants, which can affect our comfort and concentration when being at home.
An air quality monitor can help you keep a check on this IAQ index and follow ways for better air circulation. You will get to know about various factors like respirable particulates, tobacco smoke, building materials that result in poor indoor air quality.
- To Ensure Good Health
Indoor air quality impacts short-term and long-term health complications directly. Many people feel irritation in their eyes, nose, and throat, while others experience dizziness and fatigue because of indoor air pollution. Constant exposure to harmful pollutants also increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases, like asthma, lung cancer, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
If you want to stay safe and healthy inside your home, checking IAQ using an air quality monitor is essential. The need for monitoring IAQ becomes even more pressing when you have family members already suffering from respiratory health problems.
Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Various pollutants reach indoor air and get trapped because of the regular household activities and lifestyle followed. For instance, wood and coal stoves releases Carbon Monoxide in the indoor air. Similarly, there are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released from pesticides, moth repellents, paints, and air fresheners. Smoke from cigarettes and fireplaces also adds up PM2.5 in the air, which can cause severe harm to the lungs.
Real-time measurement of IAQ is possible with the best-in-class air quality monitors. They also help detect pollutant sources and provide details of variation of pollutant levels at different times of the day or night.
Selecting the Best Air Quality Monitor to Stay Healthy
As the name suggests, an air quality monitor tests and reports about the pollution level inside a specific region. Most of the air quality monitors available in the market monitor the level of particulate matter, humidity, and chemical pollutants. You may even find some products that also keep a check on the temperature, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels. The features of air quality monitors vary as per the specific product and brand you choose.
Now that there area plethora of options to choose from, a common question people ask is about what to consider while buying an air quality monitor.
Firstly, the air quality monitor should be tested and certified with certain accuracy and performance standards. It should also have modular sensors to detect various pollutants in the indoor air, be it CO, O3, NOX, and many others. Sensedge from Nirvana Being is a good example of such an air quality monitor. It is based on the RESET standard of accuracy and is WELL-V2 building standard compliant.
The choice of an air quality monitor will influence the overall health of your family members. So, make sure you research well while buying one. Be smart, be healthy!
