Monitoring Home Air Quality: Diy Tips And Tricks

There are many ways to check the air quality in your home. If you are concerned about specific pollutants, you can purchase a low-cost air pollution monitor to detect, monitor, and report on specific air pollutants like carbon dioxide, or environmental factors like temperature and humidity. If you are worried about carbon dioxide levels in your home, the SAF Aranet 4 is one of the most accurate CO2 monitors available. You can also use a professional testing service to test for common toxins like asbestos and radon, or volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, but this can be expensive. If you are concerned about mould, you can purchase a mould test kit to test your air quality. You can also use the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow mobile app to check the air quality outside your home, which can help you determine the air quality inside your home.

Use a low-cost air pollution monitor to detect specific air pollutants

Low-cost air pollution monitors can be a great way to get information about specific pollutants in your indoor air. These devices use one or more sensors to detect, monitor, and report on air pollutants like particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, and carbon monoxide (CO). They can also measure environmental factors like temperature and humidity.

When choosing a low-cost air pollution monitor, it's important to consider the type of sensor(s) it uses and the specific pollutants or factors it can detect. Some monitors have a single sensor that measures only one pollutant or factor, while others have multiple sensors capable of detecting a range of pollutants and factors. For example, the BREATHE Airmonitor Plus is an 8-in-1 smart air quality monitor that can detect CO2, formaldehyde, VOCs, PM1/2.5/10, temperature, and humidity.

It's worth noting that while low-cost air pollution monitors can provide valuable information, they may not always be completely accurate. In particular, there have been complaints about inaccurate readings, especially for VOCs. Reviews have also mentioned issues with Wi-Fi connections and poor customer support. Therefore, it's important to research and choose a monitor known for its accuracy and reliability, like the SAF Aranet 4, which is widely recognised as one of the most accurate CO2 monitors available.

To address this issue, some companies have developed low-cost sensors that provide qualitative values for VOCs, indicating whether levels are increasing, stable, or decreasing. While not as specific as quantitative values, these relative VOC values are still useful for understanding indoor air quality. The Vindstyrka monitor, for example, offers incredible accuracy at a very low price. However, it lacks an internal battery and must be constantly powered through a USB Type C port.

In addition to using a low-cost air pollution monitor, there are other approaches to improving indoor air quality. For example, you can use an AQI app on your phone to check local conditions and take appropriate actions, such as closing windows and doors or using air purifiers and HVAC filters to reduce particulate pollutants from outdoors. N95 respirator masks can also provide protection against particulate pollutants when outdoors.

Check outdoor air quality first, as outdoor conditions determine indoor air quality

Checking outdoor air quality is an important first step in understanding the air quality in your home, as outdoor conditions often determine indoor air quality. There are several tools and methods available to help you monitor outdoor air quality.

One popular option is the AirNow app, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This free app offers real-time air quality data and forecasts for locations across the United States. You can search by zip code or place name, and the data is presented on a map. The AirNow app measures seven air quality factors, including CO2, PM2.5, VOCs, and radon. It also provides an Air Quality Index (AQI) meter, which indicates the level of pollution in the outdoor air and the associated health effects.

In addition to the AirNow app, there are other apps and devices that can help monitor outdoor air quality. For example, PurpleAir offers both indoor and outdoor air quality monitors, and their data can be accessed through a map on their website. However, to get specific AQI readings, you need to register your device with PurpleAir and view the data through their web portal.

Another option for checking outdoor air quality is to use a website like AirVisual, which offers both indoor and outdoor air quality readings. AirVisual provides an easy-to-read display with a graphic that changes based on the air quality, such as a boy's face and a colour scale.

Additionally, you can take preventative measures to improve your indoor air quality based on outdoor conditions. For example, if there are particulate pollutants outdoors, such as smoke, pollen, or exhaust from heavy traffic, you can close your windows and doors, use an air purifier, and install medium-MERV HVAC filters. On the other hand, if the outdoor air quality is good and you want to address indoor pollutants, you can briefly open your windows and doors to ventilate the space while using air purifiers or HVAC filters to maintain healthy particulate levels.

Test for common toxins like asbestos and radon

Testing for common toxins like asbestos and radon is essential for maintaining good air quality in your home. Here are some detailed steps and guidelines to help you test for these toxins:

Asbestos Testing:

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is heat- and fire-resistant. Due to these properties, asbestos was commonly added to building materials like insulation, tiles, and pipes before being partially banned in 1989. Unfortunately, asbestos is linked to mesothelioma, a type of cancer. Therefore, if your home was built or renovated before the 1990s, testing for asbestos is highly recommended.

You can purchase DIY asbestos testing kits from home improvement centers, hardware stores, or online retailers like Amazon. These kits typically include detailed instructions for collecting samples, which are then mailed to a specified laboratory for analysis. The results are usually emailed to you within one to two weeks. When collecting samples, it is important to take precautions to avoid exposure to asbestos fibers. This includes wearing protective gear, sealing off the area, and keeping the area damp to prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

Alternatively, you can hire a certified asbestos testing professional or firm to collect samples and analyze them. This option may be safer, as asbestos testing companies are trained to handle the toxic material properly. The average cost of professional asbestos testing in the US ranges from $225 to $800.

Radon Testing:

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that can be found in indoor and outdoor air. High levels of radon can pose a serious health risk, as it is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Therefore, it is crucial to test for radon in your home, especially if you plan to renovate or spend more time in lower levels of your home, such as the basement.

Radon testing can be done using DIY test kits purchased from hardware stores or by hiring a radon tester. Short-term testing can take anywhere from 2 to 90 days, while long-term testing takes more than 90 days. If the radon level in your home is at or above 4 pCi/L of air, the EPA recommends contacting a licensed professional to install a radon reduction system.

In summary, testing for common toxins like asbestos and radon is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment. Both DIY and professional testing options are available, and taking the necessary precautions during the testing process is essential to avoid potential health risks.

Use a CO2 monitor to measure carbon dioxide levels

Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors are an effective way to measure the air quality in your home. CO2 monitors measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the air and can help determine if your indoor space is well-ventilated. High carbon dioxide levels indoors indicate that there is not enough fresh air in a building. They are also correlated with high levels of airborne dust, mould, bacteria, and indoor air pollutants.

There are several types of CO2 monitors available, including handheld, desktop, or wall-mounted units. Some monitors also measure temperature, dew point, humidity, or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). When choosing a CO2 monitor, consider accuracy, range, and ease of use. For example, an NDIR CO2 tester with an ABC (automatic background calibration) feature will recalibrate itself weekly, ensuring accurate readings over many years. The accuracy of a CO2 tester also depends on its type, model, and the conditions in which it is used. Most home carbon dioxide testers are accurate within a range of +/- 50 ppm.

The SAF Aranet 4 is one of the most accurate CO2 monitors available, providing easy-to-read onscreen measurements and alerts when levels are too high. Its app sends alerts, works with iOS and Android, and offers seven-day trend monitoring to help identify patterns of high CO2. The high-quality sensor has a long lifespan of up to seven years.

CO2 monitors are especially useful during the pandemic, as research confirms the value of measuring carbon dioxide to estimate the risk of COVID-19 infection. Infectious people exhale airborne viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, along with carbon dioxide. Therefore, monitoring CO2 levels can help assess the potential presence of viruses and improve indoor air quality.

Identify indoor sources of pollution, such as gas stoves or beauty products

While outdoor air quality is important, it is also crucial to pay attention to the air quality inside your home. Indoor sources of pollution can include gas stoves and beauty products, which release harmful substances into the air you breathe.

Gas stoves, for example, can be a primary source of indoor air pollution, especially when unvented. The combustion of natural gas, including methane, can lead to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in enclosed spaces. Cooking with gas stoves also produces nitrogen dioxide and releases fine airborne particles known as PM2.5, which are linked to respiratory issues and lung irritation. These pollutants have been associated with an increased risk of asthma, particularly in children.

Additionally, gas appliances can introduce other toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, hexane, and toluene. VOCs are commonly found in petroleum and other fossil fuel products, and they can react with other chemicals in the air to create ozone, a component of smog. Exposure to VOCs and elevated ozone levels can have negative health consequences, including respiratory problems and an increased risk of asthma and cancer.

Beauty products are another significant source of indoor and urban air pollution. These products often contain multiple chemicals, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, lead, mercury, triclosan, and benzophenone. Exposure to these substances has been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, cancer, and impaired neurodevelopment, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and women during pregnancy. The use of certain beauty products, such as skin lighteners, hair straighteners, and feminine hygiene products, can result in higher levels of toxic chemical exposure, with a disproportionate impact on women of color.

To identify and mitigate indoor sources of pollution, it is essential to be mindful of the potential hazards associated with common household items and personal care products. Taking steps such as improving ventilation, using air purifiers, and opting for alternative appliances or beauty routines can help reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants and improve the overall air quality in your home.

Frequently asked questions