How to measure Indoor Air Quality - Perfect Pollucon Services
The world is changing constantly, but as good as it serves, there are various adverse effects of the same on our environment and health extensively. This article tries to give answer to a very common question among all i.e. How to Measure Indoor Air Quality.
However, when we talk about climatic changes, global warming, environmental pollution, we somehow ignore the fact that our houses and offices are under the same sky.
And, that is why improving Indoor Air Quality has become a major concern for many households, buildings, homes, offices, organizations and more.
Although, we are always trying to better our surroundings through various activities such as cleaning, vacuuming, disinfecting; it still isn’t enough to reduce indoor air pollution. However, you can still make amendments by understanding how to measure Indoor Air Quality and what it actually means.
There are various complex definitions of Indoor Air Quality and its effects. However, to explain in simple words, many times some individuals fail to ventilate their house or offices which then leads to the pollutants getting trapped indoors. That becomes the reason behind people inhaling polluted air instead of fresh air.
Apart from this, there is something called Ground Level Ozone or Bad Air which is one of the main causes of our concern.
This is why monitoring IAQ helps common people determine whether their inhouse surroundings are habitable or not (should be determined in terms of WHO guidelines).
On the official website of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the organisation explained the guidelines for monitoring IAQ, it said: “Guidelines cover annual and daily concentrations of fine particulates, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, indoor mold, dampness, emissions of gases and chemicals from furnishings and building materials”.
Recently, WHO Guidelines also added household fuel combustion, set limits on emissions from cooking and heating stoves, and instructions regarding the usage of clean fuel.
Now, let us understand how you can measure Indoor Air Quality effectively. IAQ also involves the climate, ventilation, humidity and various other factors.
Learn More about Air quality testing methods
If your Indoor Air Quality is poor in terms of the Standards provided by the health experts, it can lead to sick building syndrome. Such situations are highly critical for residents.
The early symptoms of indoor air pollution affected individuals can start with a sore throat, headache, dry or itchy eyes, constant coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, congestion etc. Something many environmentalists have mentioned before, a polluted environment, especially indoors, can even cause alarming health-related issues such as cancer, heart disease or respiratory illness.
Whether early or not, if even a single symptom is reflected by infants or children, an informed individual must call a specialist like us for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring & Testing as it is extremely critical.
Something that concerns an Environment Service Company the most is that no one is talking about the importance of improving indoor air quality where it is quite imminent. And, the first step towards improving IAQ and reducing pollution indoors is by measuring it effectively.
An expert measures and monitors IAQ by first looking at a few key components such as building type, materials used during construction, ventilation system, number of people residing or working in the area, diagnosis of health-related problems and disease history of people residing or working in the area, activities or types of equipment in the vicinity, cleanliness of the area, presence of mold, foul smell, dust and various other factors.
Once the inspection is completed, the indoor air quality is measured using professional testing equipment such as:
After completing the complete analysis, IAQ measurements can be assessed through the Indoor Air Quality Standards. However, make sure you know that every country has different standards for measuring the quality of indoor air depending on the climate, weather, ecology, geology and more.
So, click here for a table representing IAQ standards and the permissible limit for several indoor air pollutants and factors which are responsible for affecting IAQ. Also, there are some of the various methods through which you can try to improve Indoor Air Quality for your household, office, school and other areas of interest.
In case if you are wondering learn here about Indoor air Quality testing Procedure.
To measure Indoor air quality all you need is Indoor Air Quality monitor. You buy from you nearest store or online to check indoor air quality in real time at home or office.
Government bodies use air quality monitoring stations with highest precision instruments. To measure overall air quality, each pollutant follows different methods for measurements and then multiplying by their weightage decided by national bodies can give us Air quality Index.
Bad Air quality can have adverse effects on human health. In case of exposure to pollutants over the longer period of time common symptoms are common cold, Asthma, allergy, Headache, Insomnia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Lung Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease etc. It is recommended to see family doctor in case you see these symptoms for more frequently and longer duration.
We recommend all our readers to make an informed decision when it comes to the well-being of their loved ones, colleagues, or society members. We are also aware that finding a trusted and verified company is quite difficult in recent times.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for an excellent service, then we at Perfect Pollucon Services (a trusted and verified Environmental services company) have insightful knowledge and provide market-leading services for monitoring and measuring Indoor Air Quality for our clients. Thank You! Contact us NOW!
To measure indoor air quality at home, you can use an air quality monitor that detects pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and humidity levels. These monitors provide real-time data, helping you identify pollution sources and adjust ventilation or filtration as needed to maintain a healthier indoor environment.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is calculated by measuring pollutants like PM2.5, CO₂, and VOCs using an air quality monitor and comparing the values to health standards. Many monitors generate a combined IAQ score, giving an overall indicator of air quality based on pollutant levels and their associated health risks. This helps you quickly assess if any adjustments, like ventilation, are needed.
To check your AQI level at home, you can use a portable air quality monitor that measures key pollutants like PM2.5, CO₂, and VOCs, which are commonly used to calculate AQI. These devices provide real-time readings and, in some models, automatically generate an AQI score, allowing you to monitor and manage your indoor air quality effectively.
Signs of poor indoor air quality include physical symptoms like frequent headaches, fatigue, allergies, irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat, and worsening of asthma or respiratory issues. You may also notice stale or musty odors, excessive dust, or condensation on windows, which can indicate pollutants or humidity issues. Using an air quality monitor can confirm these concerns by detecting elevated levels of common indoor pollutants.
You can test air quality yourself by using a home air quality monitor, which measures pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and humidity. These monitors provide real-time data and often display an overall air quality index, helping you understand pollutant levels instantly. For a DIY approach, you can also observe signs like excessive dust, condensation, or mold growth, which often indicate poor air quality.
Yes, some smartphones can help test air quality by connecting to external sensors or using built-in sensors in specific models. You can pair your phone with portable air quality monitors via Bluetooth, which provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, CO₂, and VOCs. Additionally, there are apps that use local AQI data from nearby monitoring stations to give you a general sense of outdoor air quality, though they won’t provide specific indoor measurements without a compatible sensor.
A safe AQI range is typically considered 0 to 50, which indicates good air quality with minimal health risk. An AQI between 51 and 100 is moderate, generally safe for most people but may pose slight risks for highly sensitive groups. AQI levels above 100 indicate increasing health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, and should be addressed to maintain a healthy environment.
To calculate the fresh air in your house, you can use the air changes per hour (ACH) method, which measures how often indoor air is replaced with outdoor air. First, calculate the room’s volume (length × width × height), then multiply by the airflow rate of your ventilation system (in cubic feet per minute, or CFM) and convert to hourly air exchange. For accurate ventilation rates, divide the total airflow by the room volume to find the ACH; ideally, indoor spaces should have 0.35 to 1.0 ACH for adequate fresh air.
Improving indoor air quality involves a few key steps: increasing ventilation, using air purifiers, and minimizing sources of pollutants. Ventilation can be enhanced by opening windows, using exhaust fans, or installing mechanical ventilation systems to bring in fresh outdoor air. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in air purifiers help remove airborne particles, while reducing sources like smoke, harsh chemicals, and excess moisture can prevent pollutant buildup. Regular cleaning also helps manage dust, pet dander, and other allergens.
To check AQI on your mobile, you can use apps like AirVisual, Plume Labs, or the AQI India app, which provide real-time air quality data based on your location. Many weather apps, such as the Weather Channel or AccuWeather, also display AQI information as part of their forecasts. These apps pull data from local air quality monitoring stations, helping you track outdoor air quality wherever you are.
The color representing an unhealthy AQI level (151-200) is typically red. This indicates that the air quality is unhealthy for the general population, and sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
AQI is often better indoors than outdoors, especially when outdoor air quality is poor, as walls and windows can help reduce pollutant infiltration. However, indoor AQI can still be compromised by sources like cooking fumes, cleaning chemicals, pet dander, or poor ventilation. Using air purifiers, improving ventilation, and minimizing indoor pollutants can help maintain better air quality indoors.
Five common health symptoms of poor air quality include:
Respiratory Issues: Coughing, shortness of breath, or aggravated asthma.
Eye, Nose, and Throat Irritation: Red, itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, or a runny nose.
Headaches: Frequent headaches or dizziness.
Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lethargic.
Allergy-like Symptoms: Increased sneezing, sinus congestion, or skin irritation.
These symptoms often improve when air quality is enhanced.
Air quality can sometimes be better at night due to reduced traffic and industrial activity, which lower pollution emissions. However, temperature inversions—where a layer of warm air traps cooler air (and pollutants) near the ground—can occur at night, especially in colder weather, leading to poorer air quality in some areas. Indoor air quality at night may also be affected by reduced ventilation if windows are closed.
To determine if your home environment is affecting your health, you can look for common indoor air quality issues and test for specific pollutants:
Use an Air Quality Monitor: Measure pollutants like VOCs, CO₂, and particulate matter (PM2.5), which can contribute to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or respiratory issues.
Check for Mold and Moisture: Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth, which causes respiratory problems and allergies; look for visible mold, condensation, or musty odors.
Observe Symptoms: Note if symptoms like headaches, coughing, or eye irritation improve when you leave home and worsen upon return.
Test for Radon and Carbon Monoxide: Use specific test kits to check for radon and carbon monoxide, which are odorless but harmful gases that can accumulate indoors.
Monitoring these factors can help you identify whether your home environment may be impacting your health.
Indoor airflow can be measured using an anemometer, which gauges air velocity in areas like vents and ducts. To assess airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM), multiply the air velocity (measured by the anemometer) by the vent or duct’s cross-sectional area. For more comprehensive analysis, smoke tubes or airflow meters can also visually indicate air movement patterns, helping to identify areas with poor ventilation.
You can measure air moisture, or humidity, at home using a hygrometer. Hygrometers display the relative humidity level, ideally between 30% and 50% for indoor comfort and health. Some air quality monitors also include humidity sensors, allowing you to track moisture levels alongside other environmental factors.
