According to the CDC, the concentration of common toxic compounds inside the building are two to five times higher than in the outdoor environment.
Today, when everybody is concerned about outdoor air quality, the importance of indoor air quality is often overlooked.
Though there are various parameters that affect indoor air quality, carbon dioxide is the factor that has a significant contribution to the overall indoor air environment as it is produced by the people present inside the building.
It is also considered a good indicator of general levels of other pollutants in the specific space. That is why CO2 monitoring is of paramount importance.
It helps to monitor the building ventilation and facilitates in maintaining better indoor air quality.
Poor air quality in schools and offices
Indoor air quality (IAQ) comprises the levels of CO2, fine particulate matter (PM), microbes, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), humidity, and temperature.
Maintaining all of these elements at an optimal level is necessary to provide a safe breathing environment to students and employees. Otherwise, failure to do so can lead to the development of diseases, including COVID-19, irritation in the eyes and nose, or asthma.
Whether it’s a school or office space, poor ventilation plays a major role in the quality of the indoor air.
Children are more prone to being affected by harmful particles and toxic contaminants. A large number of people in schools, including students, teachers, and staff experience side effects due to pollutants inside their building.
Moreover, high levels of CO2 cause a decrease in cognitive functions, creating a lack of focus and concentration in students and decreased productivity levels in the staff.
On the other hand, long-term exposure to pollutants can lead to the development of chronic illnesses among employees.
Moreover, studies show a moderate CO2 indoor reading can lead to a 30% decrease in productivity. With decreased productivity and more sick leaves, a business can suffer in terms of profitability and growth in a competitive market.
To resolve this issue, CO2 monitoring and control are key. Knowing when to turn on your air purifier or to open a door or window, is crucial to keep the IAQ at a safe level in educational institutions and workplaces.
Moreover, it facilitates minimizing the energy consumption of different ventilation systems.
Risks Associated with Poor Indoor Quality
There are several risks linked to the higher concentration of CO2 and other contaminants in learning institutions and workplaces.
- CO2 levels below 800ppm show a minimum risk of infection.
- CO2 reading in a range of 800ppm to 1500ppm indicates a moderate risk of infection and drowsiness.
- CO2 levels above 1500ppm mean a high risk of infection. It is also associated with headaches, sleepiness, loss of attention, increased heart rate or may cause nausea.
- The range between 5000ppm to 40000ppm indicates the harmful level of oxygen deprivation.
How Air Purifiers and CO2 Monitors, in Australia, Work to Make the Indoor Air Clean?
A CO2 monitor detects carbon dioxide through a sensor that absorbs infrared light at a specific wavelength. The most commonly used wavelength for CO2 is 4.26 µm which is not absorbed by other gases and water vapors.
This minimizes the chances of cross-sensitivities; therefore, the results provided by the monitor are accurate and not affected by temperature and humidity.
An air purifier removes aerosols, gases, particulates, viruses, bacteria, odor, and toxic chemical compounds from the air through filtration. It also absorbs the polluted air from the room and emits out clean and fresh air.
There are specific filters to selectively target different types of contaminants. Such filters are efficient and effective to purify the air by trapping pollutants in the space they operate.
Benefits of Using CO2 Monitors and Air Cleaners for Schools and Work Premises
Abundant scientific evidence shows that having a clean and healthy indoor environment is critical to protecting your health. To overcome the challenge of poor air quality, adequate measures should be taken to make the schools and offices a safer place.
Additionally, in a pandemic environment, the permanent opening of the learning and work premises highly depends on the clean environment having zero chances of developing and spreading Covid-19 disease.
AIRAH, an organization that helps to combat indoor air pollution has also developed a guideline for schools to prevent the Covid-19 transmission.
It suggests the installation of CO2 monitors and emphasizes improved ventilation in the premises.
CO2 monitors in Australia detect the presence of carbon dioxide and other elements to help you detect pollutants, temperature, and humidity changes in a specific area.
1. Keeping Safe and Healthy Indoor Environments
Investing in a CO2 monitoring device and air purifier has long-term benefits. Maintaining clean and unpolluted air will require an initial outlay. However, these safeguards will decrease the high cost of absenteeism in the workplace and more sick leaves from the students.
CO2 monitors and air purifiers for schools and offices are great for achieving optimum safety and good physical and mental health. It also aids in reducing Sick building syndrome and improves the overall well-being.
2. Enhance Cognitive Ability
There is a 30% decrement in the learning capability and productivity in an environment where microbes, harmful gases, and other pollutants are suspended in the air.
Research reveals that the cognitive levels of an individual could be double in a fresh, clean, and properly ventilated indoor space. In this way, spending time in a clean indoor climate has escalated the chances of high performance and productivity levels.
Therefore, along with CO2 monitoring and controlling, removing bacteria and viruses through air purification enables you to experience a positive change in your organization.
3. Reveal the Inefficiencies in the Building or Systems
The HVAC system installed in your building might not be working properly due to incorrect calibration or poor configuration.
Constant monitoring, with the use of a CO2 monitor, inside your building allows you to detect when other systems are not meeting ventilation requirements and ensures that all HVAC systems are running optimally and your premise is free from dangerous substances.
4. Assess Your Indoor Air Quality with Effective CO2 Monitors from Euromate Pure Air
Euromate offers a mini and lightweight CO2 monitor in Australia that assesses the air quality, detects harmful substances, and helps you to take necessary actions, resulting in mitigating the risk of COVID-19.
Whether it’s a school, office, home, or your car, you can use our CO2 monitor to get real-time data of CO2, HCHO, PM, temperature, and humidity levels in the air on a 16-bit full HD colored screen.
Our smart Airbox can detect particles smaller than 1um and update the data every second. It also comes with a mobile app to allow you to check the levels anywhere and anytime you want.
We also cater to our customers by providing a range of air purifiers for schools, commercial facilities, and homes to sanitize the air from dust, allergens, microbes, and viruses.
Large or small, our air purifiers, PAS 300 and VisionAir Blue Line function the best in every space. Aesthetic design, play and plug solutions, and energy efficiency are the features that our customers love.
Moreover, unique filter combinations enable you to specifically target the pollutants you want. It also comes with an easy installation option with a mobile version for added convenience.