Indoor Air Monitoring

Most of the air we breathe is polluted and a threat to our health. The state of the air both outside and inside the home is a key factor in the rise of the number of people with allergies. One way of finding out just how bad the air we breathe can be is to use air monitoring. At present the Government uses air monitoring to assess the problems caused by things like traffic fumes – but it now seems that there is a need to monitor the air indoors as well as out.

Some experts claim that the air in many of our homes is now more polluted than the air outside in busy towns and cities. The dust and pet danda particles in the air can cause allergies and certainly contribute to respiratory problems. If a home isn’t aired properly this can add to the pollution as there is no fresh air coming in to dilute what is in the home. Certainly people who perhaps have greater concern than the rest of us in this area e.g. those with asthma may use an indoor air quality monitor.

Whenever we use chemical cleaning products and central heating or we smoke, we increase the pollution inside our homes. All this evidence tends to suggest that indoor air quality monitoring should become a priority for most of us. Indoor air quality monitoring systems work through sensors, thus they can pick up the amounts of oxygen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide that are in the air. The oxygen and carbon monoxide sensors are what are known as electro-chemical sensors which measure how much of each gas is in the air. The carbon dioxide sensor is an infrared detection sensor.

While there is no government legislation on monitoring air quality in buildings some studies have been undertaken by other agencies. These agencies recommend steps for improving air quality in the home and say that it helps to undertake indoor air quality monitoring. Proposals are put by some agencies that while it is advisable to use air monitoring equipment the chemicals are quite dangerous so the process should be undertaken with care.

Certain companies will undertake indoor air quality monitoring services for those who require it – where someone in the home suffers from allergies then an indoor air quality testing monitor might be advisable. Generally speaking indoor air quality is a matter of concern but there are no clear proposals of how this should be measured.