The growing urbanization, industrialization and deforestation has led to an increase in the number and density of undesirable particles and airborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.) in our environment. Indoor air quality has therefore become even more important especially after covid-19 wreaked havoc around the world and its measurement is the first step towards ensuring that the immediate surrounding is safe for our families. As a researcher in medical domain with a keen interest in technology that affects our health, I compared various air sensors online before deciding to try HibouAir (Air monitoring devices-IoT sensor) at our home. I liked the fact that they use recycled materials for manufacturing their products, which is beneficial for the environment.
My initial experience with the HibouAir sensor has been positive. This small and affordable device requires simple setup but provides relevant data in real time for timely intervention, if required. It was interesting to not only monitor the concentration of different elements in the air such as CO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOC) but also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us. The apps on both the desktop ( I tested the Mac OS app) and mobile (android) worked well and showed the parameters using a clean design and intuitive interface.
As with any other product, there is still some room for further improvements. In particular, I would like to see a display on the device itself so that a mobile phone or a pc is not always needed. I would also like to see a comparison with external air quality in the app that can be easily arranged by sourcing that data from external source (e.g., EPA). This could give an indication of the improvement in air quality compared to outdoors if a customer is using an air purifier. These are just a couple of suggestions for further improvements and don’t take away the fact that HibouAir sensor is a great product already in its current form. I would highly recommend it for indoor air quality monitoring.
Dr. Vikas Gupta, PhD Senior Clinical Scientist Philips Innovation Hub @ Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm
Nursery, primary school, college, high school: children spend 90% of their time in enclosed spaces. And contrary to popular belief, indoor air is just as incriminated as outdoor air. Both developed and developing countries are affected. For their health and comfort, the quality of the air they breathe is as important as the food they are fed.
Good air quality inside a building has a proven effect on the quality of concentration, the rate of absenteeism in schools, and well-being. Conversely, poor air quality can promote the emergence of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin, dizziness, or more respiratory allergies and asthma.
The health and economic issues related to indoor air quality are significant. It is therefore important to implement actions to improve indoor air quality, whether in housing or in establishments open to the public such as schools.
Children can indeed be exposed in schools and places of reception to several pollutants emitted by furniture, cleaning products and school supplies. The concentrations of pollutants measured in the air of schools can sometimes be higher than in other places of life, also due to the density of occupation of the premises and often insufficient air renewal.
In school buildings, there are many possible sources of emissions of polluting substances: building materials, paint, furniture, heating appliances, cleaning products, and materials used for various activities (glues, paint, markers, etc.). Poor indoor air quality can promote the emergence of various symptoms: headaches, fatigue, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, skin, dizziness, allergic symptoms, and asthma. Conversely, good indoor air quality, and in particular sufficient ventilation of classrooms, has positive effects: reduced absenteeism, the well-being of occupants, and better learning for children.
Monitoring air quality in schools with a CO2 sensor
In class, there is always a risk of COVID-19 infection. Children can also contract Covid. For this reason, and because we want to contain the spread of the virus in society, CO2 monitoring is necessary. CO2 is not in itself dangerous because it is present naturally in the air. Outside, it is diluted. But in indoor air, its concentration can increase very quickly in the absence of ventilation. The problem is that a high concentration of CO2 in the air leads to health risks and affects the cognitive abilitiesof the occupants.
As CO2 is an odourless and invisible gas, it is undetectable to humans. This is why one of the solutions for limiting exposure to air with too much CO2 is to install CO2 sensors.
These sensors make it possible to measure the quality of the air in real-time to alert in the event of exceeding the limit values.
CO2 sensors are important to monitor the proper ventilation of classrooms.
In Europe, several schools have been equipped with CO2 sensors to monitor classroom air. The teacher is alerted when the values exceed the thresholds. He can then ventilate the room. These sensors also make it possible to educate and raise the awareness of children on the issue of air quality. And during an epidemic, they also make it possible to fight against the risks of contamination with COVID-19 by lowering the concentration of contaminated particles in the air.
The Québec government and educational institutions are continuing to closely monitor the air quality in classrooms and ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are applied when problematic situations occur.
Read more https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/preschool-elementary-and-secondary-schools/air-quality-schools
What solutions does HibouAir offer for air quality in public buildings such as schools?
Smart Sensor Devices has developed an air quality monitor device called HibouAir. HibouAir is an affordable wireless device with a simple setup that helps you accurately measure indoor environmental data for observations and studies to preserve a healthy air quality environment. Its small size and simple shape make it easy to mount on the wall of a classroom.
The air quality data is stored in the cloud and can be accessed remotely using HibouAir Dashboard. It provides real-time as well as historical data with various maps, charts and graphs for analysis. It can also generate alert notifications and periodically reports upon request.
The app presents information in a logical way, with a clear display of air quality. This indoor air quality monitor provides not only the concentration of different elements in the air such as CO2 or PM and volatile organic compounds (VOC) but also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us. The colour codes indicate whether the measurements represent good, moderate or severely polluted air.
Spain has announced new energy-saving measures, including limits on air conditioning and heating temperatures in public buildings and large commercial buildings, as it becomes the latest European country to try to reduce its energy consumption.
Applies to all public buildings, shopping malls, cinemas, theatres, train stations and airports, air conditioning must not be set below 27°C degrees Celsius during the hottest months of the year.
During the winter period, there is also a limit on heating, which cannot be set above 19°C in public places.
In order to save energy, air quality monitoring devices could be helpful. These monitoring devices provide real-time and historical air quality data such as temperature, humidity, CO2 etc., which will help determine temperature changes in a given time.
Why HibouAir to save energy
HibouAir is an air quality monitor specially designed for indoor air quality monitoring. HibouAir comes with a quick & easy set-up. No need for wifi, gateway or cloud connectivity. Its design is sleek and the navigation of its desktop and mobile applications are simple and effective. The app presents information in a logical way, with a clear display of air quality. The device is easy to set up and use, as it doesn’t require connecting or pairing. This indoor air quality monitor provides not only the concentration of different elements in the air such as CO2 or PM and volatile organic compounds (VOC) but also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us. It displays the current indoor air quality data and shows reading graphs for the past 7 days. The colour codes (green, yellow and red) indicate whether the measurements represent good, moderate or severely polluted air.
The historical data provided by HibouAir, tells us change of temperature and energy consumption by air conditioner.
People generally spend more than 80% of their time indoors and of that time, a large part of the active population spends their 8-hour workday in an office. People’s health depends largely on the indoor environment where we work, live or carry out any type of activity for a long time.
Ensuring good air quality inside an office is essential to guarantee the health of workers, which also translates into better work performance.
The causes of poor air quality in offices
Various factors can influence indoor air quality, mainly of organic compounds present in the air.
The physical factor of the thermal environment (temperature, humidity, air velocity) also influences air quality (for example, an increase in temperature can favour the volatility of certain compounds or the proliferation of certain moulds and bacteria).
Main indoor air pollutants in offices
Allergens such as pollen: can aggravate respiratory problems and cause coughing
Carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Humidity: Certain bacteria and fungi can grow in spaces without sufficient ventilation. They can cause breathing problems
Chemical substances: cleaning products, paints… can cause headaches and even nausea.
What consequences does poor air quality have for the worker?
Poor indoor air quality has a significant impact on the comfort of the workers, giving rise to inconvenience, feelings of discomfort and inconvenience (dazzling, lack of concentration, dizziness, cough, etc.).
How to ensure good indoor air quality in offices
To ensure good indoor air quality in the work environment, it is essential to monitor indoor air quality and ensure good ventilation.
An air quality monitor can help us see things more clearly by providing measurements of the air that is present around us. Knowing what’s in the air can give us peace of mind, reveal sources of pollution and help us take action.
The measurement of CO2 for office as in indicator of air quality
The correct ventilation of indoor or closed environments is essential to control possible exposures to respiratory viruses – among them, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. But how to ensure that the environments we occupy are properly ventilated or maintain air circulation and purification systems that protect us?
Being produced naturally by people, closed or poorly ventilated environments will always have higher concentrations of particles and gases such as CO2 than those with adequate air flows. And it is environments with little ventilation in which the effects of poor air quality, in addition to a possible source of contagion, are found.
Since CO2 is the gas that is most abundantly produced by the respiratory process, gas and particle concentration meters have become a fundamental tool for health care.
These air quality monitors take a sample of the air in environments to provide certainty about the ppm values of carbon dioxide and other particles found in them. Air quality monitors allow us to understand exactly if space is safe and healthy, or not.
Why HibouAir
HibouAir is an air quality monitor specially designed for indoor air quality monitoring. HibouAir comes with a quick & easy set-up. No need for wifi, gateway or cloud connectivity. Its design is sleek and the navigation of its desktop and mobile applications are simple and effective. The app presents information in a logical way, with a clear display of air quality. The device is easy to set up and use, as it doesn’t require connecting or pairing. It displays the current indoor air quality data and shows reading graphs for the past 7 days. The colour codes (green, yellow and red) indicate whether the measurements represent good, moderate or severely polluted air.
The HibouAir app has proven to be extremely stable.
Monitor air quality at office with HibouAir
HibouAir analytic app provides real-time air quality data from multiple devices. A desktop setup with a dongle can provide an overall air quality snapshot of the office. An employee can also use the mobile app to access data whenever they want.
