Author: haAdmin

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted down into the U.S., leading to extremely poor air quality across much of the eastern U.S., with alerts in effect all the way from New England to the Southeast. In all, more than 100 million Americans were affected by air quality alerts 1. The accompanying smoke poses a significant health risk to individuals, particularly those living in close proximity to affected areas. While it’s vital to remain cautious and aware of outdoor conditions, taking steps to protect yourself and maintain clean indoor air is equally crucial. It is important to understand how smoke enters your home and what you can do to improve indoor air quality. One way to monitor indoor air quality is with a device like HibouAir.

The Health Hazards of Smoke: 

Smoke from wildfires contains a mixture of fine particles, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be extremely harmful when inhaled. The microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure to smoke can also aggravate pre-existing conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and heart disease. Additionally, the toxic gases and chemicals in smoke can lead to eye and throat irritation, headaches, and even long-term health complications.

Who is at Risk? 

While smoke can affect anyone, certain groups are particularly vulnerable. This includes individuals with respiratory conditions, older adults, young children, and pregnant women. People with compromised immune systems and those who work or spend significant time outdoors near wildfire-affected areas are also at an increased risk.

How Does Smoke Enter Homes? 

Smoke can enter through small openings, joints, cracks, and around closed windows and doors through a process called infiltration 1. Tiny smoke particles can infiltrate through windows, doors, vents, and any other openings. The intensity of the odour or visibility of smoke indoors does not necessarily indicate the level of harmful particles present in the air. Hence, it is crucial to take active measures to improve indoor air quality.

Improve Indoor Air Quality: 

Here are some practical steps you can take to protect yourself and keep your indoor air clean during wildfire events:

1. Limit Outdoor Air Intake: Close all windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering your home. Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal any gaps or cracks that might allow smoke infiltration.
2. Use Air Quality Monitor: Invest in a high-efficiency particulate indoor air quality monitor. Place them in commonly used rooms, such as bedrooms and living areas, for optimal effectiveness and take necessary actions.
3. Avoid Activities that Increase Indoor Pollution: During wildfires, avoid using candles, smoking indoors, burning incense, or operating gas stoves, as these activities can worsen indoor air quality.
4. Create a Clean Zone: Designate one room in your home as a clean zone where you can escape from the smoke. Use a portable air purifier in this room and keep the door closed to maintain clean air.

Monitor Indoor Air Quality with HibouAir: 

To effectively track your indoor air quality during wildfire events, consider using HibouAir. This innovative monitoring solution continuously measures and analyzes the air in your home, providing real-time information on particulate matter levels, temperature, humidity, and more. With its user-friendly interface and personalized alerts, HibouAir enables you to make informed decisions to safeguard your health and well-being.

Wildfire smoke can have severe health consequences, making it crucial to take proactive measures to protect yourself and keep indoor air clean. By following the aforementioned tips and utilizing monitoring tools like HibouAir, you can ensure a healthier indoor environment during wildfire events. Remember, your safety is paramount, so prioritize staying informed and taking necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with wildfire smoke.

Indoor air quality is an important aspect of human health and well-being. Poor indoor air quality can have adverse effects on human health, including respiratory problems, allergies, and even cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines on indoor air quality to help individuals, communities, and governments address this issue.

The WHO Indoor Air Quality Guidelines were first published in 2010 and updated in 2023. The guidelines provide recommendations on how to improve indoor air quality in both residential and non-residential settings. The guidelines cover a range of pollutants, including CO2, particulate matter, VOC, pressure, temperature, humidity, noise etc

CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a natural component of the atmosphere and is also produced by human activities. However, in indoor spaces, high concentrations of CO2 can lead to headaches, drowsiness, and reduced productivity. WHO recommends maintaining a CO2 concentration of less than 1000 ppm (parts per million) in indoor spaces.

Particulate Matters

Particulate matters (PM) are tiny particles that can be present in the air and can cause respiratory problems. These particles can come from various sources such as smoke, dust, and pollen. WHO recommends maintaining a PM concentration of less than 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) for PM2.5 and less than 25 µg/m³ for PM10.

Pressure

Air pressure is the force exerted by air molecules on a surface. It can affect the flow of air and the performance of ventilation systems. WHO recommends maintaining a slightly positive pressure in indoor spaces to prevent the entry of outdoor pollutants.

Temperature

Temperature is an essential parameter for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. WHO recommends maintaining a temperature range of 18°C to 24°C for residential spaces and 20°C to 26°C for office spaces.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can be emitted from various sources such as paints, cleaning products, and furniture. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. WHO recommends maintaining a VOC concentration of less than 200 µg/m³.

Humidity

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. High humidity levels can lead to mold growth and can cause respiratory problems. Low humidity levels can cause dry skin and eyes. WHO recommends maintaining a relative humidity level between 30% and 60%.

Noise

Noise can be a source of stress and can cause hearing problems. WHO recommends maintaining a noise level of less than 35 decibels (dB) in bedrooms and less than 40 dB in living rooms.

Role of Air Quality Monitor

Air quality monitors are devices that measure the concentration of various pollutants in the air. These devices can be used to monitor the levels of CO2, particulate matters, VOCs, humidity, and temperature in indoor spaces. They can also provide real-time data on the air quality, which can be used to identify sources of pollution and take corrective actions.

Air quality monitors can be used to achieve WHO’s guidelines on indoor air quality by providing accurate and timely data on the concentration of various pollutants. This data can be used to adjust ventilation systems, identify and remove sources of pollution, and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

How HibouAir can help achieve this guideline

HibouAir is a comprehensive indoor air quality monitoring solution that provides real-time data on various parameters, including CO2, particulate matter, temperature, humidity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By using a combination of sensors and analytics, HibouAir can help identify sources of pollution and provide insights to improve the indoor air quality.

One of the key features of HibouAir is its user-friendly dashboard, which provides real-time data on various parameters. This dashboard can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it easy to monitor indoor air quality from anywhere. With HibouAir, users can set up alerts and notifications for specific parameters, which can help identify potential issues before they become major problems.

Another useful feature of HibouAir is its ability to generate reports on indoor air quality trends. These reports can be used to track changes over time and identify patterns that may indicate a need for corrective action. This information can be valuable for building owners and managers, who can use it to make informed decisions about ventilation systems and other aspects of building management.

HibouAir’s data can also be integrated with other building management systems, such as HVAC and energy management systems, to provide a more comprehensive view of building performance. This integration can help optimize energy use and reduce operating costs while maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

Top 40 air quality blogs

HibouAir’s commitment to providing informative content on indoor air quality has been recognized by Feedspot, a leading content reader platform. HibouAir’s blog has been selected as one of the top 40 air quality blogs on Feedspot’s list of “40 Best Air Quality Blogs and Websites”

HibouAir’s blog provides a wealth of information on indoor air quality, including tips on how to improve air quality, insights on the latest research, and updates on trends in air quality monitoring technology. By sharing this knowledge, HibouAir aims to empower individuals and organizations to take proactive steps towards achieving a healthier indoor environment.

Referenes

WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines

WHO global air quality guidelines: particulate matter (‎PM2.5 and PM10)‎, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide

New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution

.

Air quality monitoring at schools has become increasingly important as studies have shown that poor indoor air quality can have negative effects on children’s health and academic performance. Children spend a significant amount of time in school, and ensuring that they have access to clean air can have a significant impact on their overall well-being.

Poor indoor air quality can be caused by a variety of factors, including inadequate ventilation, high humidity levels, and the presence of pollutants such as dust, mould, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue. Studies have also shown that poor indoor air quality can negatively impact cognitive function and academic performance in children.

Educating children about air pollution and the importance of clean air is crucial in promoting healthy habits and reducing exposure to pollutants. Introducing air quality monitoring devices in schools can help raise awareness and encourage students to take action to improve indoor air quality.

One such device is the HibouAir, a real-time air quality monitoring device that provides historical air quality data. The device includes sensors for measuring CO2, PM 1.0, PM 2.5, PM 10, pressure, temperature, VOCs, light, humidity, and noise levels. The HibouAir is user-friendly and easy to operate, making it an ideal tool for use in schools.

With the HibouAir air quality monitoring solution, school administrators, teachers, and students can monitor the quality of the air in their school in real time. This allows them to identify areas where air quality may be poor and take steps to improve it. For example, if the device detects high levels of CO2 in a particular classroom, steps can be taken to improve ventilation or remove the source of the pollutants.

The HibouAir solution can also provide historical data on air quality, allowing schools to track changes over time and assess the effectiveness of interventions to improve air quality. This information can be used to inform future decision-making and ensure that schools are providing a healthy environment for students and staff.

There is a citizen science initiative called CleanAir@School organized by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Network of the Heads of Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs). More than 100 schools from 8 European countries participated in this initiative from 2018 to 2020. The school children measured pollution levels, learned about air quality and promoted actions for cleaner air.

The participating countries were Ireland, Malta, Estonia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, UK/Scotland and Italy. Some observer environmental protection agencies were from Belgium/Flanders, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland and UK/Wales.

In conclusion, air quality monitoring at schools is an important tool in promoting healthy indoor environments for students and staff. Poor indoor air quality can negatively impact health and academic performance, and educating children about air pollution and monitoring air quality can help promote healthy habits and reduce exposure to pollutants. The HibouAir is an excellent tool for monitoring air quality in schools, providing real-time and historical data to inform decision-making and promote healthy environments.

Creating a small real-time desktop CO2 widget using JavaScript and Bluetooth is a fun and engaging project that can help you understand how to work with Bluetooth communication and sensor data processing.

In this project we will use BleuIO to communicate with air quality monitoring sensor to read CO2 data. BleuIO is a bluetooth low energy usb dongle that helps to create BLE application easily. The AT command available on this device makes the development faster and easier.

There are many air quality sensor available but one popular choice is the HibouAir.

We will use electron js and node serial to connect with BleuIO. After that we will use AT commands to scan for nearby Bluetooth device that is advertising with a given board ID which is the air quality monitoring sensor.

Requirments :

1. BleuIO
2. HibouAir – air quality monitoring sensor

Note: both BleuIO and HibouAir are available at digikey.

Here are the steps you can follow to create your own widget:

Hardware setup :

Connect BleuIO to the computer and wait for the device to recognize it. This usually takes 10 seconds. Connect the air quality monitoring sensor HibouAir to a power cable. Make sure the device is within 50 meters.

Write the code :

Clone this repository from Github using

git clone https://github.com/smart-sensor-devices-ab/bluetooth-co2-desktop-widget.git

After that go inside the directory and write

npm install 

on terminal. This will install necessary libraries.

Inside this folder we will find three .js files and one html file. The index.html file is the frontend where we will see the real-time CO2 values.

The main.js file initialize the application and creates an window of 200px X 200px

render.js is the file which has all the logic go connect to BleuIO via serial port , gets real-time air quality data, decode it and finally print it on the screen.

Code explanation :

On render.js file, at first we make a list of devices connected to serial port. Then we filter out only the BleuIO devices by filtering with vendorID which is 2dcf. After that we pick the first item of the list.

Once we know the path of the BleuIO device , we connect to it.

ports = ports.filter((x) => x.vendorId == "2dcf");
      if (ports && ports.length > 0) {
        port = new SerialPort({
          path: ports[0].path,
          baudRate: 57600,
        });
}

Now that we are connected to the BleuIO dongle, we can write AT commands to it and get the response.

At first we write AT+DUAL to the dongle to put the dongle in dual role. So that we can scan for nearby devices and advertised data.

to put the dongle in dual role we write

port.write(Buffer.from("AT+DUAL\r"), function (err) {
          if (err) {
            document.getElementById("error").textContent =
              "Error writing at dual";
          } else {
            console.log('dongle in dual role')
}

In this project I am trying to get air quality data from a HibouAir device which has a board ID of 45840D. Therefore I look for advertised data that has this specific boardID. If i write AT+FINDSCANDATA=4584OD, BleuIO will filter out only advertise data from this board ID.

After writing this , we get a response from the dongle. To read the response from serial port we use

 port.on("readable", () => {
          let data = port.read();
console.log(data)
})

We can push the response in an array and later decide what to do with it.

When we do a AT+FINDSCANDATA=45840D

the response from the dongle looks something like this

Then we take the last response by using

resp = readDataArray[readDataArray.length - 2];

After that , get the advertised data from the string by

resp.split(" ").pop();

Now we have the advertised data in a variable. We can easily get the CO2 value from this string by selecting the position. The documentation from HibouAirs says , the CO2 value is right at the end of the string. In that case the value is 023A which is 570 is decimal.

We can print this value in our screen.

We can create a function that do the scanning every 20 seconds to get latest values.

Here is the complete code to render.js file

// This file is required by the index.html file and will
// be executed in the renderer process for that window.
// All of the Node.js APIs are available in this process.
const { SerialPort } = require("serialport");
var port;
var readDataArray = [];
async function listSerialPorts() {
  await SerialPort.list().then((ports, err) => {
    if (err) {
      document.getElementById("error").textContent = err.message;
      return;
    } else {
      document.getElementById("error").textContent = "";
    }
    console.log("ports", ports);

    if (ports.length === 0) {
      document.getElementById("error").textContent = "No ports discovered";
    } else {
      ports = ports.filter((x) => x.vendorId == "2dcf");
      if (ports && ports.length > 0) {
        port = new SerialPort({
          path: ports[0].path,
          baudRate: 57600,
        });
        port.write(Buffer.from("AT+DUAL\r"), function (err) {
          if (err) {
            document.getElementById("error").textContent =
              "Error writing at dual";
          } else {
            const myWriteFunc = () => {
              port.write(Buffer.from("AT+FINDSCANDATA=5B0705=3\r")),
                function (err) {
                  if (err) {
                    document.getElementById("error").textContent =
                      "Error writing findscandata";
                  } else {
                    console.log("here");
                  }
                };
            };
            myWriteFunc();
            setInterval(() => {
              myWriteFunc();
            }, 20000);
          }
        });
        // Read serial port data
        port.on("readable", () => {
          let data = port.read();
          let enc = new TextDecoder();
          let arr = new Uint8Array(data);
          let removeRn = enc.decode(arr).replace(/\r?\n|\r/gm, "");
          if (removeRn != null) readDataArray.push(removeRn);
          if (removeRn == "SCAN COMPLETE") {
            console.log(readDataArray);
            let resp = readDataArray[readDataArray.length - 2];

            let advData = resp.split(" ").pop();
            let pos = advData.indexOf("5B0705");
            console.log("advData", advData);
            console.log("c", advData.substr(pos + 46, 4));
            let co2 = parseInt("0x" + advData.substr(pos + 46, 4));
            console.log(co2);
            document.getElementById("co2Val").innerHTML = co2;
          }
        });
      } else {
        document.getElementById("error").innerHTML =
          "No device found. Please connect a BleuIO ongle to your computer and try again.";
      }
    }
  });
}

function listPorts() {
  listSerialPorts();
  setTimeout(listPorts, 20000);
}

// Set a timeout that will check for new serialPorts every 2 seconds.
// This timeout reschedules itself.
//setTimeout(listPorts, 2000);

listSerialPorts();

To build this app we need a library called electron-builder. To install this library we write on terminal
npm i electron-builder

Once the library is build , we need to update our package json file and add build option or mac.

"build": {
    "appId": "com.co2.widget",
    "productName": "co2-widget",
    "mac": {
      "category": "airquality.app.widget"
    }
  }

We can update our script on package json like this

"scripts": {
    "start": "electron .",
    "pack": "electron-builder --dir",
    "dist": "electron-builder"
  },

Once we are done, build the app with

npm run build

We will see a dmg file in our dist folder. Once we run the app, the widget will look like this.

The value will update every 20 seconds.

In conclusion, monitoring indoor CO2 levels is essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. HibouAir is an air quality monitoring device that can help you monitor indoor CO2 levels in real-time. By installing and setting up the HibouAir widget on your desktop, you can easily monitor indoor CO2 levels and take steps to improve indoor air quality. With its easy-to-use bluetooth interface, HibouAir is a valuable tool for anyone looking to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

HibouAir – Air quality monitoring device comes with both BLE and wifi. HibouAir wifi device collects real-time air quality data from surrounding environment and sends it to the cloud. Users with a HibouAir account can access and analyse air quality data using the HibouAir dashboard or mobile application. 

However, different organization has different needs especially when it comes to air quality data analysis. After all, it’s not enough to simply own data these days; in order for the data to be useful to the organization, it needs to be cleaned, organized, and presented in a digestible way for analysis.

HibouAir provides a developer-friendly API which helps you to build your own analytical dashboard in your preferred programming language. The data collected from the API can be used to visually represent an indoor environment with visuals, text, charts, tables, and figures, and other metrics. This makes decision maker to easily understand indoor air quality to serve their purpose.

To build your own air quality monitoring dashboard, you will need 

• HibouAir wifi device
• A HibouAir cloud account
• API key and code

Steps to create your own dashboard

Connect your device to a power source and get close to the device. 

Follow these steps to connect your device to the cloud. 

Once your device is connected to the cloud, you will be able to collect data using HibouAir API. 

The API helps to get current and historical air quality data of multiple devices and sensors. There are several API endpoints available to get data such as current data, last n hours, date range etc

To get real-time sensor values from a specific device

Details of API documentation will be provided with the HibouAir cloud account. 

Here is an example of an air quality monitoring dashboard developed using HibouAir API. 

HibouAir API has several ways to create dashboards querying the API. If you’re not sure about the best way to connect and use the API, contact us at info@hibouair.com

On july 2022 The Lancet COVID-19 Commission has release a Task force report “The First Four Healthy Building Strategies Every Building Should Pursue to Reduce Risk from COVID-19”, that calls for every building owner and operator should pursue to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The commission focused on lowering the amount of virus-laden aerosols in indoor air by Increasing outdoor air ventilation to dilute aerosols and reduce their concentration and/or enhanced filtration efficiency to remove particles from recirculated air have been shown to be effective as part of an overall strategy to reduce the spreading risk.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health also recommended the building systems should verify heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are performing as intended.

While monitoring the indoor air quality, you need a measurement tool that will give a real time level of pollution in the indoor environment, before taking actions. According to that you can set up your building. For example, control ventilation, upgrading air filters etc.,.

Most important to choose the best air quality monitoring device for healthy buildings

HibouAir is providing air quality monitoring devices with a simple setup that helps you accurately monitor the indoor air quality for observations and studies to preserve a healthy air quality environment. HibouAir provides CO2 or particulate Matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us.

HibouAir comes with two different variations; particulate Matter (PM) and CO2 sensors.

There are several indoor air quality monitoring solutions provided by HibouAir:

• Indoor air quality monitoring cloud solution
• Indoor air quality monitoring desktop solution

Users can choose the best solution that meets their requirements.

HibouAir mobile and desktop applications work for any solution which provides real-time air quality data of nearby devices over Bluetooth. The data will store only new days. 

HibouAir Dashboard account is available for cloud solutions, which provides real-time data with various maps, charts and graphs for analysis. It can also generate alert notifications and periodically reports upon request. The cloud solution can store the data in the cloud so we can not lose the information.

For more information please visit our websites Smart Sensor Devices and HibouAir.

Workers within factories and warehouses are exposed to substantial amounts of chemicals and pollutants, making air quality a critical safety issue for anyone working in these environments. Air quality in industrial manufacturing plants has an immense impact on a person’s health, and therefore, their ability to work.

How does the poor indoor air quality affect your business?

Although air pollutants are invisible, they can have a serious impact on our health. Air pollutants can cause respiratory diseases and even cancer, along with other health effects, causing sick-leaves. The cost of one sick-leave day can cost even hundreds of euros for an employer. The indirect effect of it is a poor employer image, that makes it difficult to recruit qualified personnel. According to this, it is very important to monitor the indoor air quality in warehouses and manufacturing plants. Air quality measures particulate matter (PM) and CO2, along with other environmental factors such as VOCs, ambient temperature, humidity, pressure, and ambient light. 

Indoor air quality monitors

The data collected from air quality monitoring would primarily help us identify polluted areas, the level of pollution and air quality level. 

Smart Sensor Devices are providing the indoor air quality monitors called HibouAir. Quick & easy set up. No need for a Wi-Fi, gateway or cloud. Access air quality measurement history in the HibouAir analytics app, and gain insight to live a healthy life for you and your employees everyday.

This air quality monitor provides CO2 or PM and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us. 

For more information please visit our websites Smart Sensor Devices and HibouAir.

The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers’ comfort but also for their health. Poor indoor air quality has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with damp indoor environments. In addition, some exposures, such as asbestos and radon, do not cause immediate symptoms but can lead to cancer after many years.

Many factors affect indoor air quality. These factors include poor ventilation, problems controlling temperature, high or low humidity, recent remodeling, and other activities in or near a building that can affect the fresh air coming into the building. Sometimes, specific contaminants like dust from construction or renovation, mold, cleaning supplies, pesticides, or other airborne chemicals (including small amounts of chemicals released as a gas over time) may cause poor air quality. Most of the people are spending the time indoors so It is good to monitor and measure air conditioning regularly indoors.

Indoor air quality monitoring with devices

An air quality monitor can help us to know about the environment around us, so that we can take actions accordingly.

Smart Sensor Devices providing air quality monitoring devices called the  HibouAir. It is specially designed for indoor air quality monitoring with a simple setup that provides real-time indoor air quality data.

HibouAir provides the concentration of different elements in the air such as CO2, 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.

We can find ways to solve complicated things with our devices and we can protect ourselves from the polluted environment and health problems.

According to Harvard T.H’s study the emerging evidence that air pollution has an impact on our health. The findings show that increases in PM2.5 levels were associated with acute reductions in cognitive function. We’ve seen these short-term effects among younger adults, said Jose Guillermo Cedenö Laurent, a research fellow in the  Department of Environmental Health and lead author of the study. “The study also confirmed how low ventilation rates negatively impact cognitive function. Overall, the study suggests that poor indoor air quality affects health.”

A growing body of research has shown that indoor air pollution diminishes cognitive function. While it is well known that air pollutants such as PM2.5 can penetrate indoor environments, few studies have focused on how indoor exposures to PM2.5.

The way to know indoor air quality

There are many infectious can transmission indoors. To better understand the air quality the Smart Sensor Devices are providing air quality monitoring devices which can check the level of air quality, CO2 and temperature. By using our devices you can measure a number of parameters such as humidity, temperature, volatile organic compounds, CO2 or fine particles PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10. The environmental sensors detected levels of CO2 that fell below or exceeded certain thresholds.

How the air quality monitors works

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 the indoor environment is safe or not.

HibouAir is an air quality monitor specially designed for indoor air quality monitoring. HibouAir Desktop Solution comes with an easy set-up. No need for wifi, gateway or cloud connectivity. It works in desktop and mobile applications are simple and effective. The app presents information in a logical way, with a clear display of air quality. It displays the current indoor air quality data and shows reading with graphs for the past 7 days.

Along with thermal comfort, sounds and light, indoor air quality (IAQ) is an integral part of the quality of life at work criteria.

For the majority of working people, the working day essentially takes place in closed environments: offices, open spaces, shops, etc.

Indoor air pollution in these confined spaces exposes employees to adverse health effects and affects their work efficiency. 

What are the sources of indoor air pollution in the office?

According to the World Health Organization, indoor air is up to 8 times more polluted than outdoor air. 

In the workplace, employees are exposed to different categories of indoor air pollutants: 

• – Construction and decoration materials, furniture and office supplies emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• – The inks of printers and photocopiers emit ozone and hydrocarbons (NB: laser printers emit 6 times more VOCs than inkjet printers).
• – Human presence can degrade indoor air quality. Some sick employees can carry viruses that spread through the air through breathing or coughing. Some perfumes or deodorants also emit fine particles. A large presence of employees in the same room increases the CO2 concentration. 
• – The use of cleaning and disinfection products by cleaning teams generates fumes of irritating chemical particles.
• – Outdoor pollution can also impact indoor air quality: the proximity of a workplace to traffic routes, construction sites or production sites can increase the concentration of VOCs and fine particles in offices.

The building design is often an aggravating factor in indoor air pollution:

• – In most office buildings, the windows do not open and the air renewal is done only by mechanical ventilation systems. Some “blind” meeting rooms do not even have a window and it is, therefore, impossible to ventilate them.
• – The majority of ventilation systems in offices are outdated. 
• – Air conditioning systems, very present in modern workspaces, are even suspected of acting as a diffuser of viruses in the air through offices and floors of buildings.
• – The vast open spaces increase the presence of collaborators in the same room, at the same time increasing the concentration of CO2.

Yet we spend more than 80% of our time in closed environments. This almost continuous exposure to indoor air pollution has a direct impact on the health of employees.

Indoor air pollution: what impact on health at work?

Regular exposure to indoor air pollution can cause, in the short term, various symptoms that affect well-being at work: 

• – Fatigue
• – Concentration difficulties
• – Headache
• – Dizziness
• – Irritation of eyes and mucous membranes 

Indoor air pollution leads to cognitive impairment and reduced productivity: it directly affects the efficiency of employees.

Thus, in poorly ventilated buildings, with high indoor air pollution, some employees may suffer from Sick Building Syndrome.

Long-term exposure to polluted indoor air can even lead to more serious pathologies such as asthma, lung diseases and even cardiovascular diseases.

These symptoms can even lead to work stoppages or even occupational diseases.

Indoor air pollution is costing businesses money

To measure the impact of indoor air pollution on companies, American researchers looked at the effects of absenteeism and the decline in employee productivity. 

The American College of Allergists estimates that poor indoor air quality causes or worsens all illnesses by 50%. 

Absenteeism and reduced productivity due to poor indoor air quality cost businesses an average of $480 per worker per year, according to research.

By improving the air quality at work, you protect the health of your employees and boost their efficiency. And your investments can be quickly amortized: according to a study by the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), productivity gains by improving indoor air quality at the workplace.

The special case of COVID-19

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased the risk of contamination at work. For several months, employees were encouraged or even required and wearing a mask in workspaces was made compulsory. 

Despite these reinforced sanitary measures, certain living areas in the office continued to facilitate the airborne spread of the virus: toilets, break areas, company restaurants, etc.

Where mask-wearing was not possible or required, the virus continued to circulate freely through the air.  

The monitoring and management of IAQ in the workplace is now a key issue for companies.

How to monitor IAQ in workspaces?

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.  

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. 

In addition, we must ensure that you take the appropriate measures to improve your IAQ.

Our IAQ monitoring solutions

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 is 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. 

Monitor air quality at the 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.