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The impact of VOCs on health and productivity in the workplace
Introduction»Articles»4 examples of how to choose the right type of sensor for each room
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4 examples of how to choose the right type of sensor for every room
\nFor an immediate assessment of indoor air quality in terms of how stale it is, the first and correct choice is monitoring the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2).
\nThe term CO2 is well known not only among experts in the field of air conditioning and ventilation in general but also among end customers. The concentration of carbon dioxide is indeed a very good indicator of stale air.
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WARNING, however, its measurement is not suitable everywhere. What sensor to choose in specific spaces? Below are the four most common cases.
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1. So-called stale air
\nThese are spaces where people frequently move/stay. Examples of such spaces can include:
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bedrooms, children’s rooms
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living rooms
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offices
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meeting rooms
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classrooms
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shopping centers
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cinemas, theaters, …
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\nIn all of the above-mentioned spaces, the concentration of carbon dioxide gradually rises (among other substances) due to the breathing process of the people present. In such spaces, the best choice is a sensor monitoring the concentration of CO2. It is sufficiently accurate and stable over the long term thanks to the optical sensor.
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\nPrincipally, a person exhales not only CO2 but also so-called VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds. These are various chemical substances of organic origin in a gaseous state at normal room temperature, which are primarily the main cause of unpleasant feelings associated with stale air – reduced concentration ability, drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, or even nausea. Wherever the predominant source of pollution is people present, CO2 is an excellent indicator of stale air.
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\nThe situation there could then look roughly as depicted in the graph on the right.
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2. Spaces where CO2 is not the main pollutant
\nFor the choice of monitored variable for effectively controlled ventilation of a given space, we can use a simple rule: first, we need to determine the predominant source of air pollution and then choose the appropriate type of sensor accordingly.
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\nExamples of such spaces can include:
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gyms
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fitness centers
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dressing rooms
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toilets
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\nOften, it is quite a large space for people to “stale” it, or they stay there for a relatively short time. Nevertheless, this space can become polluted during their stay, perhaps due to specific activities (odors, sweat, deodorants, cleaning agents, etc.). In such a space, the concentration of CO2 may be at a relatively good level, but the air has an odor or smell, and therefore ventilation is necessary.
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In other words, in the above-mentioned spaces, another source of pollution may prevail over the standard breathing process. If we placed a CO2 sensor here, it might not show significantly high concentration values.
\nThe predominant, more indicative indicator of air pollution is indeed the concentration of VOCs. The situation in such a space could then look roughly as depicted in the graph on the right.
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\nA suitably placed VOC sensor will solve the problem excellently.
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3. Other sources of odors and smells
\nThe third type of space where air quality needs to be monitored is the indoor environment where there is a significant source of pollution that is not caused by people themselves – the source of pollution is not breathing, metabolic processes, sweating, etc.
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\nThis source of pollution can be some materials, chemicals, or technological processes such as:
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cooking and frying
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various technological processes
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fumes from cleaning or disinfecting agents
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fumes from perfumes, scented candles, etc.
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fumes from furniture, floor coverings, etc.
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fumes from paints, ceilings, etc.
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\nExamples of spaces can include:
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professional kitchens, restaurants
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canteens
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newly built/renovated houses and buildings
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principally spaces where chemicals are handled, etc.
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\nHere we could mention the same graph as in point 2, so the VOC sensor is the best fit here.
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\nIn spaces where multiple sources of pollution mix (e.g., a combined living room with a dining room and kitchen), the best choice is a combined CO2 + VOC sensor.
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4. High humidity
\nAmong other important indicators of indoor air quality, of course, is the relative humidity of the air – RH.
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\nThis mainly concerns:
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bathrooms
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laundries
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and, for example, kitchens
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\nIn such spaces, without proper ventilation, mold can begin to form relatively quickly, especially in the winter months, in corners, in window joints, and so on. Rust can appear on metal objects.
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\nEffectively controlled ventilation with a suitably placed humidity sensor usually satisfactorily resolves this issue.
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\nA suitably chosen sensor can not only solve the quality of the indoor environment in the monitored spaces, but it also allows for effective management of the ventilation system and thus potential energy savings.
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