On average, a person spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, roughly 10.2 years. And in the hustle and bustle of work, it’s easy to take the air we breathe in our indoor spaces’ comfort for granted. Indoor air quality plays an underestimated but pivotal role in our overall health, well-being, and productivity.
In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards has released mandates for indoor air quality in various confined spaces such as Factories, Buildings, and Offices for pollutants such as CO2, SOx, NOx, TVOC, CH4, particulate matter, etc. Hence, it becomes crucial to monitor or measure these parameters.
Threshold Value for these parameters in the table. (from different standardization organization)
For continuous indoor air quality monitoring, IoT platforms have emerged as an essential tool for capturing real-time data and providing data-driven insights. These insights allow corrective actions, such as adjusting ventilation rates in HVAC systems or activating air purifiers in confined spaces to improve occupant comfort and keep facility managers informed about all the parameters.
This contributes to a healthier living environment by reducing the risk of respiratory issues and promotes energy efficiency through optimized HVAC and ventilation systems.
IoT technologies are elevating the IAQ standards and creating spaces where occupants can enjoy cleaner, more comfortable, healthier indoor living conditions.
This article delves into indoor air quality (IAQ), its significant impact on our lives, and why it’s important.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the quality of the air we breathe inside a closed space such as our homes, schools, and offices; monitoring air quality is essential because it tells us if the air quality is good for our health, by continuously monitoring air quality parameters such as CO2, O2, SOx, NOx, TVOC, PM 2.5, PM 10, CH4 levels, temperature, humidity and ventilation rate we can manage the quality of air by proper control and notification system.
The Health Connection
The quality of the air we breathe indoors has a direct and profound impact on our health. Poor Indoor Air quality can lead to health issues like respiratory infections and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants has even been linked to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer.
Boosting Productivity and Well-being
Good indoor air quality isn’t just about health, it also impacts how well we work and how good we feel. Think about trying to get stuff done in a stuffy, muggy room with air that feels old and yucky! The thought itself gives a discomforting feel. But when we’re in clean, fresh spaces with appropriate air quality, it’s much easier to concentrate, think clearly, and feel comfortable. People who work in such places tend to do better at their jobs and are usually happier and more content with their work.
Sick Building Syndrome
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a range of symptoms that people experience when spending time in a particular building, typically their workplace or home, without any specific, identifiable illness or cause. These symptoms can include headaches, eye irritation, respiratory problems, SBS is often attributed to poor indoor air quality ventilation, chemical contaminants, within the building. It’s essential to address these issues through proper building maintenance, ventilation, and air quality control to mitigate SBS symptoms and create a healthier indoor environment.
The primary approach to treating Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) involves addressing its symptoms while reducing exposure to its underlying causes. It can help with itchy eyes, nose, and skin, while asthma medications may be necessary for breathing difficulties. People can contribute by using low-fume, fragrance-free cleaning products, regular vacuuming to remove dust, and changing air filters regularly. Maintaining optimal humidity levels, testing for indoor mold or fungus, and updating computer monitors and lighting systems are also important steps. Creating a healthier indoor environment plays a central role in treating and preventing Sick Building syndrome.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Improving IAQ doesn’t only benefit our health and well-being; it also aligns with our sustainability goals. Energy-efficient buildings with proper ventilation and air filtration systems provide better Indoor Air Quality and reduce energy consumption. By optimizing heating and cooling systems, we not only lower our energy bills but also decrease our carbon footprint.
The Role of IoT in IAQ Monitoring
As technology advances, so does our ability to monitor and manage IAQ. It was challenging to monitor and analyze Environmental parameters a few decades back. Fast forward to now, sensors can continuously measure and capture IAQ parameters, allowing for immediate alerts to any issues and providing data analysis at a single click to identify trends and patterns for taking corrective actions.
Indoor air quality has become a vital need for business sustainability, and with the current level of industrialization and the time we spend inside a closed space, we can’t oversee it. For organizations, it is a business responsibility to provide quality air to their employees for their health and productivity.
In this journey towards healthier and sustainable air quality, IoT is the key driver for building a more connected ecosystem for industries, schools, factories, or any other commercial building.
For more such articles on real time monitoring & analytics, energy management, water management, compliance and sustainability please refer the website https://www.nebeskie.com/
