The Role of Smart Devices In Indoor Air Quality
Rapid urbanization has severely impacted urban air quality, reaching a point where even the safety of our indoor spaces is compromised. Humans spend 90% of their time indoors– where pollutant concentration is 2 to 5 times greater. Research shows that developed countries have higher indoor air pollution (IAP) than outdoors. Air pollution has been a long-standing concern worldwide, with roughly 3.2 million deaths caused by it in 2020 alone. Drops in air quality have had significant impacts on our health and standard of living.
This is where smart devices come in. With home automation at its peak; devices that curb IAP levels are rising. These tech tools can help purify the air indoors making you breathe easier. This is done by monitoring air pollutant concentrations, providing timely solutions, and controlling ventilation systems.
What Causes Indoor Air Pollution
It’s essential to first understand the causes of air pollution. Primary sources of indoor air pollution (IAP) include building materials, combustion, and bioaerosols. Additionally, several ambient factors such as air movement, surface temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide also influence IAP levels. In developed countries, tobacco smoke, pesticides, and VOCs are also common contributors.
The toxins released by these sources pose significant health risks, including COPD, cancer, and other respiratory disorders. IAP degradation has a more severe impact on children, the elderly, and anyone who spends the majority of their day indoors.
Role of Smart Devices In IAP Monitoring
Traditional air sensors require a person to read and interpret the data, making the process lengthy. This adds a gap between reading the data and remedying it through ventilation.
This practice becomes obsolete when IoT is introduced. Thanks to smart home devices, the routine of checking data has become automated. The result of automation is a steady air quality monitoring that isn’t reliant on manual labor. It also works in making the indoor environment healthier.
IoT sensors don’t send alerts when something is amiss in the air, they automatically prevent the air quality from worsening by placing the relevant measures. This can be by opening the windows or turning up the HVAC system.
IAP Parameters Measured By Smart Devices
IAP parameters can vary depending on the location. Schools may have a lower smoke percentage while offices may have another factor affecting them. IoT sensors need to be adjusted according to the location they’re at.
There are, however, a few standard metrics that all sensors are wired to monitor. These are factors closely linked to health and include the following:
1. Carbon Monoxide
Ideally, carbon monoxide levels should be kept under 9 ppm (particles per million) for a maximum of 8 hours of exposure. For less than an hour, only 25 ppm is recommended. Keeping within this limit can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and lung diseases.
2. Humidity
Indoor humidity is usually preferred to be low. Ideally kept between 30%-50%. Too high and it promotes the growth of fungi and bacteria– causing ENT infections.
3. Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is the most important thing to monitor in IAP levels. Carbon Dioxide levels should be around 400-1000 ppm. This is the best ratio to avoid headaches, fatigue, and drowsiness.
4. Fine particulate matter
The particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter should be kept below 12 microns per cubic meter. This is essential to avoid the risk of allergies or prevention of pre-existing respiratory diseases.
How IoT Benefits Indoor Air Quality
Investing in quality smart home devices to monitor your air quality index has many benefits. To let these devices do their work rather than the manual way can have advantages such as:
Smart building automation
IoT devices respond to changes in the indoor atmosphere autonomously. It turns on the required ventilation on its own when sensing an increase in foot traffic— keeping the temperature regulated throughout. Smartin’s Aura is our intelligent thermostat and our environmental detector will help you to keep your air clean.
Historical data analysis
A feat IoT devices have is keeping previous data stored, making it easier to improve the sensor’s settings. This is so you can alter the system. Historical data is also necessary for obtaining third-party certifications that comply with local regulations.
Speedy data visualization
Smart devices let you overlook multiple indoor air quality parameters and how they all interlink. This allows for a faster improvement time and a swift intervention system.
Conclusion
The future of smart devices in IAP monitoring is ever-growing. Indoor air quality is often neglected when designing indoor environments, yet it’s known to have detrimental effects on health. Hence where IoT monitoring comes in; aiding you in keeping a healthy indoor atmosphere!
Imagine stepping into your home after a long day and getting a waft of clean, fresh air from your automatically opened ventilation systems. Now, doesn’t that just sound like a dream? Well, lucky for you Smartinn offers just that!
With our smart thermostats, Smartinn ensures a quality indoor environment fit for comfort and relaxation. Control the climate of your home as you please; when you please. So, what’s the hold-up? Don’t let your health suffer because of poor air quality but, prioritize yourself by keeping your space safe and risk-free.
