How Is Overall Indoor Air Quality Measured?

What Is Air Quality?

Air quality is the sum of several characteristics that can affect a person's health and wellbeing. This article discusses how overall air quality is measured and highlights typical product examples, including notable features and applications.

How Is Overall Air Quality Measured?

Overall air quality is measured using an Air Quality Index (AQI). An AQI is an accepted overall air quality determination tool used by government agencies to communicate the current and forecasted public health risk of polluted air. In short, as the AQI increases, so too does the risk to public health.

What is an Air Quality Index?

While air quality indices vary between countries, the methodology used to determine an AQI always involves monitoring a particular group of air pollutants over a given time. The six pollutants measured by the US AQI are:

1. Ozone
2. Particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₅)
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Nitrogen dioxide
5. Sulphur dioxide; and
6. Lead.

The maximum concentration values and averaging period for these pollutants are available in Appendix 1 (below). Air quality index reports comprise:

1. The calculated AQI value
2. A colour code 
3. AQI category – this is the levels of health concern; and
4. A health message and advice related to the level of concern. 

Table 1 below details the six categories of the US Air Quality Index.

Table 1 The six categories of the US AQI with their value, colour, category and health message. Source: The United States Environmental Protection Agency)

Air Quality Analysers

Air Quality Analysers are excellent tools for the measurement of hyperlocal air quality and individual pollutants concentrations. Your Instrument Choice Scientists have selected two representative examples of air quality analysers they recommend for use at home. 

AirLink Air Quality Analyser Product code: IC-7210   The IC-7210 is a professional yet affordable air quality analyser that captures AQI information and crucial pollutant concentrations.   The sensor connects to WeatherLink live via WIFI and automatically uploads your collected data. Through the Weatherlink Live platform (mobile app and browser), you can access your current and historical data virtually anywhere. Discover how to set up the Davis AirLink here. Specifications Measures: Temperature, Humidity, Particulate Matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) Provides AQI: Yes Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and Outdoor.

Laser Egg + CO2 S Product code: IC-LE-202   The Laser Egg+ CO2 is a WIFI-enabled air quality analyser that tells you what is in the air you breathe, allowing you to monitor fine dust particles, smog (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide.   All measured data is sent via WIFI to the Kaiterra app for real-time analysis. The sleek and modern design is guaranteed to fit into almost any home décor.   Specifications Measures: Temperature, Humidity, Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Carbon Dioxide, Provides AQI: Yes Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Conclusion

Air Quality Indexes provide an overall assessment of air quality. For an amazing range of air quality analysers that measure both AQI and individual parameters, suit any budget, parameter and accuracy requirements - browse here.

For more information on air quality analysers, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

Appendix 1

Note 1: Before 2016, there was an allowance of 5 exceedances per year for the PM standards. This standard was replaced in 2016 by an exceptional event rule. An exceptional event is a fire or dust occurrence that adversely affects air quality at a particular location, causing an exceedance of 1-day average standards above normal historical fluctuations and background levels directly related to bushfire, jurisdiction-authorised hazard reduction burning or continental-scale windblown dust. The handling of exceptional events in the reporting of averages is specified in the Air NEPM.