The air we breathe has a substantial impact on our well-being and health. Any existing respiratory issues in older adults can be made worse by air pollution, which can be two to five times higher indoors than outside. However, you can give your residents a healthier living environment by installing top-notch air quality monitors in your assisted living homes. Read on to learn more about air quality monitors and their benefits.
What Is an Air Quality Monitor?
An air quality monitor is a tool that monitors indoor air quality (IAQ) by identifying the presence of potentially dangerous gases and particulates—microscopic liquids and solid particles. Typically, it will monitor for airborne dust, pollen, mold, radon, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other dangerous chemicals and gases.
Why Should You Invest in an Air Quality Monitor?
Indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality. The air we breathe indoors, like the air we breathe outside, can become polluted and endanger us. This is why all retirement homes should incorporate air quality monitoring systems to ensure the safety and health of their residents, team, and visitors. Here are a few benefits of installing air quality monitors in your facility:
Eliminate Airborne Viruses and Bacteria
With numerous diseases, such as influenza, coronavirus, and others, spreading through the air, it is critical to monitor the air quality in order to prevent disease spread. Airborne particles can be identified with air quality monitoring devices, and the appropriate personnel can be contacted to perform further HVAC filtering operations.
Quick Detection of Deadly Chemicals
Regular air quality monitoring will help you detect potentially dangerous pollutants that could be present in the community. With quick detection of chemicals like ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide, and others that are beyond permitted levels, you can safely evacuate the area, locate the source of the pollutants, and work to ventilate the facility so that it can be considered safe.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Most of the time, the lack of ventilation is the main reason for the accumulation of chemicals and dangerous particles in the air. Using an air quality monitoring system, you can figure out whether the ventilation or HVAC problems in your building are to blame for poor air quality. It can also help you instantly identify and alert you to any irregularities in the air.
Measure Humidity, Temperature, and Pressure
Most air quality monitors detect humidity, temperature, and air pressure in addition to dangerous airborne chemicals. Although not immediately hazardous to our health, these elements do have an impact on the quality of the air we breathe. Good-quality air can make a huge difference in how comfortable we feel.
Detect Mold Growth
There are usually small numbers of mold spores everywhere. But sudden explosion of mold can lead to respiratory ailments, especially in older adults. As air quality monitors can record both humidity and temperature, they can help identify and monitor mold growth. A humidity level of at least 70% or more is necessary for the growth of mold. As a result, humidity levels are an excellent predictor of mold growth in assisted living homes.
