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Detect harmful particles and gasses in your home with these air quality monitors.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / David Hattan
This could involveincreasing the ventilation in your home, or using an air cleaner such as anair purifier.
Nicole Backusis home environment product manager for Hamilton Beach Brands.
Melanie Carveris the chief mission officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
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VOCs are invisible gasses that come from natural and man-made materials, Backus says.
VOC levels are typically higher indoors than outdoors.
Surprisingly, there can be two to five times more VOCs indoors than outdoors, Carver says.
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ts odorless and cant be seen (unlike smoke) which makes it difficult for people to detect.
She explains that particulate matter is often measured by sizemost commonly as PM10 or PM2.5.
Larger particles, PM10, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat," Backus says.
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If your air quality monitor frequently detects these particles, you may want to invest in anair purifier.
Low levels of carbon dioxide can cause headaches, dizziness, or increased heart rate.
Higher levels of carbon dioxide can cause you to lose consciousness and can potentially be fatal.
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It is odorless and colorless, which makes it difficult to detect.
A larger air quality monitor doesnt necessarily mean its more effective.
If you dont plan on moving the equipment very often, a corded electric monitor will suit your needs.
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It doesnt have a mold risk indicator.
It wont be able to detect radon levels.
It also provides information about humidity levels and temperature.
If you dont have an Echo, you’re able to receive alerts on your phone instead.
Its larger than other monitors on our list, and it doesnt detect radon.
When the air quality is good, a green picture of a face will appear.
This monitor also shows the air quality both inside and outside your home.
The screen display isnt as user-friendly as other options on our list.
The gear is designed to monitor carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity levels.
Since it is powered by electricity, it wont work in the event of a power outage.
The gadget can sense radon, carbon dioxide, VOCs, temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Your Questions, Answered
How much do air quality monitors cost?
A budget-friendly air quality monitor can cost less than $100, while others can cost around $300.
Do air quality monitors detect mold?
Mold can grow in humid areas in your home that arent properly ventilated, suchas a bathroomor laundry room.
Many air quality monitors may not necessarily be able to detect mold.
Some can, however, detectconditions in which mold may grow, thanks to humidity sensors.
Otherwise, attempt to increase ventilation in humid areas oradd a dehumidifierto the space.
Can outdoor air quality affect indoor air quality?
Yessince houses have vents, cracks, and holes, air from outside can easily get into your home.
Some air quality monitors, such as theIQAir Air Quality Monitor, display information about the outdoor air quality.
you might use AirNow.gov to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) outside, Carver shares.
For this article, she researched various air quality monitors as well as common air quality issues.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.LowCost Air Pollution Monitors and Indoor Air Quality.
Environmental Protection Agency.What about carbon monoxide detectors?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics.
Radon and Your Health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.February 3, 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency.Improving Indoor Air Quality.
Environmental Protection Agency.Mold and Health.
