Air quality monitors are outfitted with sensors designed to detect specific pollutants. Some use lasers to scan particulate matter density in a cubic metre of air, while others rely on satellite imaging to measure energy reflected or emitted by the Earth.
The air quality meter measures the CO2 content of the air, the relative humidity and the room temperature. The air quality meter shows carbon dioxide concentrations up to 9999 ppm, temperatures from -10… 50 °C, and relative humidity values from 20… 95%.
EPA's AirNow mobile app provides a simple interface for quickly checking current and forecast air quality information for planning daily activities and protecting your health.
Digital air monitors
These devices use sensors to track the levels of specific pollutants and hazards, like radon, VOCs and formaldehyde. There are many indoor air monitors available on the market, including the Airthings Wave Plus and the uHoo Smart Air Monitor.
AirVisual is one of the most comprehensive AQI apps for Android and iOS. In addition to letting you see quality levels, AirVisual offers a range of other features. One of these is health recommendations, through which the app shows steps you can take to avoid getting sick.
The Short Answer:
Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The AQI works like a thermometer that runs from 0 to 500 degrees. However, instead of showing changes in the temperature, the AQI is a way of showing changes in the amount of pollution in the air.
Air quality monitors are able to identify mold and fungi as well as particulates in your home that are the side effects of cooking, smoke, dust, or even the off-gassing of household chemicals containing VOCs.
An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory.
Low-cost air pollution monitors can provide users with a simple and quick way to determine levels of some air pollutants and/or environmental factors and may help them identify when to take actions to improve indoor air quality.
For some locations, the air quality scale always appears above the hourly forecast. Maps: View a map of temperature, precipitation, or air quality in the area. Tap the map to view it in full screen or to change the map view between temperature, precipitation, and air quality. See View weather maps on iPhone.
AirNow.gov is a federal website managed by the EPA with many federal and local state partners, including in the Bay Area.
Using the Weather app
Launch the Weather app on your iPhone. Select your region and scroll down. You should be able to see the Air Quality Index of your area.
Consider Purchasing An Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Indoor air quality monitors test for various particles in the air, and you can find options that test for any or all of the following: Chemical Pollutants. Humidity. Carbon Monoxide.
The Environmental Protection Agency has noted that excess moisture, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and radon are four major indoor air pollutants. They result in damp and stuffy houses. Thus, indoor air is more harmful than outdoor air.
An indoor air quality sensor can help detect the presence of molds. One thing that is common with all species of molds — they thrive under moisture.
Does wearing a mask help with bad air quality? If you need to be outside, experts advise wearing a mask. N95 masks are the best option to reduce your exposure to pollutants, according to Lahita, but if you don't have those, surgical masks or even a scarf is better than nothing.
No matter how new or old your building is, experts agree that everyone should be sealing off living space from outside air by keeping windows and doors closed during the air quality crisis. Use towels to block gaps that allow air inside.