How to Properly Assess and Monitor Your Indoor Air Quality

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Introduction

Indoor air quality monitoring is the process of collecting continuous information about the things that are present in the air that we breathe in. Data collected during this process can help us in identifying trends, spot problem areas, and make adjustments accordingly. 

With this kind of information, the people in charge such as building owners, facility managers, and technicians can know the next step on what to do. They can introduce monitoring so the risk of airborne disease reduces, areas that inhibit occupant wellbeing are identified, and anomalies like mold growth are detected. 

This article can help us learn how we can test indoor air quality, the process of measuring air quality, and overall supplying enough information on how to tackle this subject. 

How is this Affecting Us Today?

Nowadays, due to the pandemic, many of us are spending our time indoors. While we know about the negative impacts pollution has on our outdoor air, we should also place some of our focus on indoor air quality. Many problems can arise indoors, such as harmful gases, allergens, and the buildup of chemicals and bacteria. Because of this, it’s important to measure and test indoor air quality. Something like this shouldn’t be overlooked in the building, as it concerns everyone’s safety. 

Poor indoor air quality can have negative side effects. One thing about poor indoor air quality is the fact that anyone infected might not even show symptoms immediately. Not only that, but levels of dangerous pollutants can build up. They can build up easily and at the same time be unnoticed. Because of this, it is crucial to go through measures in monitoring, measuring, and controlling indoor air quality. 

How is Indoor Air Quality Affected?

Indoor air quality can be affected by a lot of substances. The list of substances includes things like carbon monoxide, bacteria, allergens, mold, radon, asbestos, and harmful organic compounds. The design of many modern buildings helps keep the heat in. Compared to the past, these are more tightly sealed. What does this mean? Usually, this reduces ventilation while increasing levels of pollution. For indoor air quality, this has a harmful effect. 

There have been studies showing how people can be greatly affected by low air quality:

• Indoor air pollution affects about 3.8 million people each year.
• The most particular conditions people go through are respiratory illnesses. These illnesses include asthma, breathing inflammation, breathing inflammation, lower lung capacity, and cancer.
• Human efficiency and information processing capabilities can even be limited due to low air pollution.

While air quality may be the root cause of the problem, the only way to find out is to test indoor air quality. You might be thinking about how to measure and test indoor air quality and what else to do. Luckily, you’re about to find out. 

How to Measure Indoor Air Quality?

An air quality sensor is a tool that is used to measure indoor air quality. It can be used to quantify the levels of various volatile organic compounds. The sensor can also detect another chemical called formaldehyde. This is a type of chemical that is emitted by new carpets and ketones, which are found in the breath. These can build up in crowded spaces. 

Radon detectors and carbon dioxide meters can show you if these gas levels have reached a dangerous level. This is the only way to make sure if these gases can have a destructive impact on the environment. They are undetectable through the senses, and the presence of this damage to health can be gradual. 

In Actuality, Who Can Test Indoor Air Quality?

Normally when someone is showing signs of ill health in a factory, workshop, or office, that’s when indoor air quality testing is performed. The signs of ill health, however, should be caused by suspected pollutants in the atmosphere of the building. 

In situations like this, routine indoor air quality testing should be encouraged. Whether employees are showing symptoms or not, it is important to not risk the health of everyone. Professionals should be the ones carrying the IAQ testing in an ideal situation. These professionals should be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and access to laboratories. They should have all the things they need to detect and measure in the air for the different kinds of harmful substances.

How Should the Indoor Air Quality Test Results be Assessed?

These test results are not always straightforward. The poor indoor air quality‘s primary causes have different kinds of factors that contribute to it. The IAQ has no set of standards. The indoor air quality test results are usually given to health agencies when someone shows health problems. This is done so that they have a further look into the cause of the illness. The results of IAQ testing can be deciphered by air quality testing professionals. With this, they can then suggest a range of measures for the air quality in your building to improve. Not only does this mean tackling the issue quickly, but it also means accomplishing it effectively as well. 

AKCP Wireless Air Quality Sensors

AKCP offers one of the best sensors in the industry. Air Particles, Metal Oxide Gases (MOx), Temperature, and Humidity can be detected in one single sensor.

Combines Air Particles, Metal Oxide gases (MOx), Temperature, and Humidity in a single sensor.
Metal Oxide Gases (MOx)

The sensor detects various Metal Oxide (MOx) gases, displaying the value as a VOC Index. Examples of these gases are :

• Acetone (eg. paints and glues)
• Toluene (eg. furniture)
• Ethanol (eg. perfume, cleaning fluids)
• Hydrogen Sulfide (eg. decaying food)
• Benzene (eg. Cigarette smoke)

The VOC Index is a logarithmic scale that is relative to the typical indoor gas composition over the past 24 hours. With a range of 0 to 500, the typical value for a normal environment being 100. Values greater than 100 indicate worsening air quality with a higher concentration of metal oxide gases over the past 24 hours. Values lower than 100 indicate improving air quality.

In Conclusion

There isn’t just one approach to these kinds of things. Improving the condition of indoor air has more than just one prescribed way. The approach you take can be influenced by a wide range of variables. Things like the outside environment or even how your building was built can affect your approach. 

A temporary air pollution problem, in certain situations, can be caused by a single yet unexpected occurrence. It can happen whether it is in a space within your building or even your house. This also includes an overcrowded conference room. Opening a window or using a fan can be short-term solutions when a situation like that arises. However, other methods might be needed when more nuanced issues happen from inappropriate outcomes of air quality monitoring. 

In many situations, it is effective to simply prove more ventilation in a building. It will allow air that is cleaner and less contaminated to filter into the building. As stated earlier, opening windows and using fans, especially in bathrooms and kitchens can already be enough at times. Not only does this prevent the mold, but this also creates a quicker exchange of fresh air instantly. As long as you follow the guidelines of this article, your building shouldn’t have a problem with indoor air quality. 

Reference Links:

– https://www.authorbench.com/post/indoor-air-quality-monitoring-how-to-test-measure-improve 

– https://i-qlair.com/indoor-air-quality-monitoring-complete-guide/ 

– https://www.airqualityplan.com/blog/how-to-measure-indoor-air-quality.html