We spend a great deal of time indoors - some studies say up to 90%, with around 70% in the home. Despite our habits and plenty of science informing us that poor air quality is detrimental to our health, you’d struggle to find any research on the topic.

But there’s good news! If you’re concerned about the condition of your home’s atmosphere, Instrument Choice can help. Monitoring and maintaining your indoor air quality is easier than you think with some easy-to-do tips and an App-Based Air Quality Monitor.

Unhealthy Indoor Air – What Are the Big Culprits?

The causes of household indoor air pollution are many and varied, but the most likely nasties include:

• Tobacco products
• Fuel-burning combustion appliances
• Building materials - like new upholstery, timber finishes, floorings, certain types of pressed wood products, and deteriorating asbestos-containing items.
• Chemicals in products used for personal care, cleaning, building construction and maintenance
• Central heating and cooling systems
• High levels of indoor moisture or humidity; and
• Vapours that get into your home from outside - like polluted air and pesticides.

Refer to “Appendix 1: Examples of Pollutants” below should you need more information about specific gases monitored by home air quality monitors. 

Scientists’ Tips

The impact of any pollutant source depends on its concentration, harmfulness, and the adequacy of your home’s ventilation.  So how can you start protecting yourself and your family? Here are six easy and practical things anyone can manage.

Introducing App-Based Home Air Quality Monitors

Indoor air quality can be monitored in different ways, and you’ll find a confusing variety of air quality monitors out there. But our team has been checking out the latest exciting group of devices – WIFI-enabled app-based indoor air quality meters. These gadgets make managing home air pollution a cinch!

The Benefits of Using an App-Based Home Air Quality Monitor

Home air quality is always in a state of flux, so to better manage your home’s atmosphere, you need an environmental “feedback” system.

App-based home air quality monitors now let you receive air quality data from a variety of devices so you can:

• respond to air pollution issues in real-time
• narrow down harmful sources and - most importantly;
• monitor the positive impacts of your changes in real-time. 

Five Great Examples App-Based Air Quality Meter

Here are some of the best app-based air quality sensors that use WiFi and specially designed mobile applications to upload your air quality information to The Cloud.

uHoo Indoor Air Quality Sensor In a Nutshell The uHoo is a sophisticated indoor air sensor that monitors and updates you for nine key indoor air parameters! The Interface The sensor interfaces exclusively via the uHoo application (Android and Apple). With this app, you can: Easily view current and historical data in a graphical form Adjust your chosen pollutant thresholds and customise alerts  Share your sensor’s information with family and friends; and Integrate your uHoo with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Mediola, Conrad Connect and AirTeq.  Exactly What Does The uHoo Monitor? Temperature Air Pressure Humidity Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Ozone VOC  Nitrogen Dioxide Particulate Matter   Take a closer look at the uHoo Indoor Air Quality Sensor here

Laser Egg In a Nutshell Kaiterra’s Laser Eggs comprise a series of three aesthetically pleasing smart home air quality monitors. Each will continuously communicate whether you are breathing clean air at home. The Interface Laser Egg models feature an LCD screen to view all your current home air quality at a glance, together with an intuitive mobile app - “Live Air by Kaiterra” (Apple and Android) for: tracking changes and receiving notifications receiving personalised alerts and actionable health recommendations when air quality breaches your safety limits pairing your Laser Egg with other smart home devices via Apple HomeKit and IFTTT viewing your home’s Air Quality Index (AQI) – choose from AQI Standards, including US EPA, Australia National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM), China, and India National Air Quality indexes viewing live, historical, and forecast data (6-hour and 5-day forecast) - Live Air provides immediate and historical (up to 30 days); and Interactive air quality mapping so you can browse mapped data from your neighbourhood or anywhere in the world!  Check out the three Laser Egg models below.
Laser Egg IC-LE-200  Measures: PM2.5, Temperature and Relative Humidity Go to Laser Egg IC-LE-200 page	Laser Egg + Chemical IC-LE-201 Measures: PM2.5, TVOC, Temperature and Relative Humidity Go to Laser Egg IC-LE-201 page	Laser Egg + CO2 IC-LE-202 Measures: PM2.5, CO2, Temperature and Relative Humidity Go to Laser Egg IC-LE-202 page

The Last Word

Instrument Choice Scientists recommend app-based indoor air quality monitors for accurate, up-to-the-minute air quality monitoring you can retrieve anywhere, at any time. With all the important information at your fingertips, you can create a safer home environment for you and your family.

For more information on app-based air quality sensors, speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

Appendix 1: Examples of Common Home Air Pollutants

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Indoor CO₂ at high levels will cause drowsiness, a feeling of sluggishness, and headaches. High CO₂ levels within a home indicate inadequate ventilation relative to your indoor occupant density and metabolic activity.

2. Particulate Matter

Particulate matter refers to microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. You will often find particulate matter abbreviated as ‘PM’ and the particulate matter size as ‘PM₁₀’ and ‘PM_2.5.’ In addition to concentration, size matters when it comes to the health effects of PM. The most common particulate matter that IAQ meters measure is PM_2.5. High levels of PM_2.5 are known to cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancers. Sources of particulate matter include smoke from fires and wood heaters, car and truck exhaust, and airborne industry pollutants.

3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Volatile organic compounds refer to various chemicals emitted from some solids or liquids in the form of gas. VOC concentration tends to be significantly higher indoors. Examples of VOC emitting products include; paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, building materials, furnishings, pesticides, and glues.

4. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Short term exposure to high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide can act as an irritant to the eyes and nose. Repeated or long term exposure can resue in acute or chronic bronchitis. NO₂ is the primary source of nitrate aerosols, which form a fraction of PM_2.5 and - in the presence of ultraviolet light - ozone.

5. Ozone (O₃)

Ozone at or near ground level is one of the main components of photochemical smog. Ozone forms from a reaction between sunlight and pollutions like nitrogen oxides and VOCs. Ozone levels will be highest during periods of sunny weather. Excessive ozone in the air can cause breathing issues, reduce lung function, trigger asthma, and cause lung disease.

6. Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide is tragically one of the most acutely toxic indoor air contaminants. It is a colourless and odourless gas absorbed by the human body more readily than oxygen. In high enough concentrations, carbon monoxide will quickly act to deprive the brain of oxygen. High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to nausea, unconsciousness, even death.

7. Temperature & Humidity

While temperature and humidity profoundly affect comfort, they also influence the quality of indoor air. When humidity is too low, eyes and skin will become irritated. When humidity is too high mould, and mildew will flourish.