What is indoor air quality and why is it important?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.
Depending on the type of pollutant, poor indoor air quality can lead to short- and long-term health effects. It is important to monitor your indoor air quality so that you can address any pollutants that are identified and keep the air in your business pollutant free.
Pollutant Sources
There are many ways in which our air can become polluted and pose a health risk. These can include:
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances
- Tobacco products
- Building materials and furnishings as diverse as:
- Deteriorated asbestos-containing insulation
- Newly installed flooring, upholstery or carpet
- Cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products
- Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies
- Central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices
- Excess moisture
- Outdoor sources such as:
- Radon
- Pesticides
- Outdoor air pollution.
The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings and products like air fresheners, can release pollutants continuously. Other sources, related to activities like smoking, cleaning, redecorating or doing hobbies release pollutants intermittently. Unvented or malfunctioning appliances or improperly used products can release higher and sometimes dangerous levels of pollutants indoors.
How do I monitor indoor air quality?
I’m glad you asked! This new product is a solution that solves this exact problem. The Airthings for Business Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring solution is the first complete system for remote monitoring of radon levels and indoor air quality.
The system allows facility managers, employers, and key decision-makers to improve wellbeing and increase productivity in their buildings, by monitoring serious indoor air pollutants. Recent studies indicate the importance of indoor air quality for employees returning to offices. A recent FACILITY EXECUTIVE® magazine study goes as far as indicating IAQ as a driver for economic growth.
The Airthings Wave Plus for Business, Hub for Business and the Airthings for Business Dashboard create a robust solution for facilities to quickly have IAQ information they need in a convenient format.
Wave Plus for Business sensors connect wirelessly for easy installation with minimum disruption and have a low-energy requirement for longer battery life. They’re specifically designed to be used in every type of indoor populated space.
The Airthings for Business Dashboard provides information on indoor air quality in an insightful format, interpreting the key metrics and offering tips on reducing indoor air hazards, optimizing ventilation, and saving energy. Whatever your specific needs, it is easy to view, compare, and export data from the Dashboard.
Wave Plus for Business has been tested and accredited by the RESET standard for accuracy. The solution is also fully approved by WELL, which can help towards certifying a building.
In addition, Airthings’ sensors provide air quality data to Abound , Carrier’s new open-technology platform designed to make building environments more intelligent, efficient and responsive. Abound aggregates data from different systems and sensors and provides building owners, operators, and occupants transparency into relevant and contextual insights about air quality, thermal comfort, and other performance data. Airthings’ sensors will provide indoor air quality data and insights to the Abound platform via the Airthings API.If you are interested in upgrading your business to include indoor air quality monitoring contact one of our specialists at Elyon Fire & Life Safety today!