Air Quality: What Influence Does Air Quality Have on Our Lives?

Being able to analyze the quality of the air we breathe down to its individual components is an urgent concern for us. The question is: what influence does air quality have on our lives? That's why we founded Corant GmbH. As experts in researching and developing complex sensor technology, we decided to design a reliable and comprehensive air analyzer with the air-⁠Q.

When air composition becomes air pollution

In Europe, people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. That means every person breathes between 12 and 24 kg of air per day. For this reason, indoor air quality is of critical importance.

The air composition consists for the most part of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. In addition, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, methane and ozone accumulate. Pollen, spores, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds also play a significant role in determining air quality. Many of these pollutants permanently alter the composition (and effect) of the air. They are produced by road traffic and industrial plants. In addition, many building materials, wall paints, plastic objects and electrical devices also release harmful substances into the air we breathe. Temperature, humidity and sound pressure level also have a considerable impact on air quality and thus on our well-being.

For the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is considered the most serious environmental health risk worldwide. The WHO has been studying air quality in Europe since 1958. Based on its numerous observations, it analyzed a total of 28 organic and inorganic pollutants that can be responsible for air pollution in 1987. To protect public health, the WHO published guidelines on these substances. These not only provide information on the pollutant concentration at which air composition can become harmful to humans. They are also meant to help eliminate or at least reduce these pollutants, thereby counteracting air pollution. In 2006, guidelines specifically for indoor air were finally published. The first WHO guidelines for indoor air quality, which focus on dampness and mold growth, were published in 2009.

Although the WHO places great importance on the topic of air quality, suitable devices for precisely determining pollutant levels have so far been lacking. The air quality monitors available on the market to date can certainly detect when certain limit values are exceeded. However, they lack the sensors needed to measure the individual components of the air we breathe separately. That's why we developed the air-⁠Q. With its numerous sensors, it can measure the pollutants contained in the air we breathe individually and in real time, as well as provide reliable readings on noise / loudness, humidity and smoke development.

Poor air quality, up to and including air pollution, can have serious effects on our health and performance

The components of the air can have a lasting effect on our well-being. On the one hand, our performance can suffer. On the other hand, health problems can occur.

Poor air quality, up to and including air pollution, is not only perceived as unpleasant. It also impairs concentration and thus productivity. The causes of poor air lie not only in unpleasant odors but also in temperatures that are too high or too low, too little or too much humidity, and, of course, excessive noise levels. However, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) likely has the greatest influence in this context. Exchanging stale air for fresh air is therefore of enormous importance. However, when ventilating, care must always be taken that pollutants, noise and heat from outside do not further worsen the air quality in the room.

Often, concentration problems go hand in hand with a lack of well-being, up to and including physical complaints. Irritated mucous membranes, itchy eyes and skin irritation are among the less serious consequences. On the one hand, poor air quality can significantly worsen symptoms for people affected by allergies or chronic respiratory conditions. On the other hand, long-term exposure to pollutants leads to serious diseases of the respiratory tract as well as the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, there is a risk that mental illnesses may be triggered or at least intensified by, for example, excessive noise.

Further articles on the harmfulness of air components will follow soon as an ongoing series on our blog.

(Image: unsplash / Sasha Freemind)