PM stands for particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) which is the term for a combination of dispersed solid particles and liquid particles. Many particles are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye, such as dust, dirt, soot or smoke. Others are so small they can be observed only through an electron microscope.
PM10: inhalable, 10 micrometre and lower diameter particulate matter.
PM 2.5: inhalable particulate matter with 2.5 micrometre diameters and lower.
What is 2.5 micrometres small? Think of a single hair on your head. The median diameter of human hair is approximately 70 micrometres–30 times that of the largest particulate matter.
Particulate matter can come in many sizes, shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. PM is emitted directly from sources like construction sites, vehicles, power plants, industry and fires.
Severe health problems can be caused by inhalation of microscopic particles. Many particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers can be inhaled deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. PM2.5 Particles pose the greatest health risk due to their size. These fine particles cause respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease in the body.
Air particles can also reduce visibility and cause haze if in high enough concentrations in the area.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and other air pollutants
VOC’s, also known as Volatile Organic Compounds, are gases that are emitted from different materials that can have short-term and long-term health implications.
Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds can include many household products such as cosmetics, cleaning products, hairspray, paints, disinfectants, and more. Burning things like wood and natural gas also produce VOCs.
Formaldehyde is a common VOC and can be found in materials such as plywood, insulation, drapes, furniture fabric, and glues.
Short-term direct exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds can trigger lung irritation, tiredness, and queasiness, and throat inflammation. Whereas long-lasting direct exposure has actually been connected to serious lung damage, in addition to liver and kidney damage.
Temperature and Humidity
High temperatures and excessive humidity can cause mildew and mold growth. Causing structural damage and can also cause allergy-like symptoms. Monitoring temperature and humidity can help you prevent health problems, as well as find cracks, leaks and poor insulation.
There are two type to select:
Outdoor/Indoor Type Wall-mounted Type
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide was once thought to have little to no effects on the human body, although it has been found that concentrations as low as 1,000 ppm can have an adverse effect on cognition and memory.
There are indoor type and outdoor type to select.
Indoor type Outdoor Type
An inconvenient Conclusion
Poor air quality can injure and kill people. Worldwide, it is estimated that poor air quality caused premature deaths of more than 4.42 million people.
Air pollution has also been linked to higher rates of stroke, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses like asthma.
While these disastrous effects are from long term exposure, short-term health problems such as coughing, headaches, dizziness, and eye irritation.
Air pollutants can also cause indirect health issues thanks to their impact on the climate. Food supply interference, heat waves, extreme weather, bushfires, and other effects related to climate change take a great toll on overall human health.
Rika’s air quality sensors deliver ultra high resolution and pinpoint accuracy out of the box
Monitor and record dust and particulate matter indoors and outdoors with Rika’s air quality sensor.
It has never been easier to measure air pollution and air quality. All recordings are transmitted via 4G/LTE networks, or via satellite where no reception is available.
Data logger setup is simple and fast, all logger configuration is sent via Bluetooth Low energy via our simple to use, cross platform app: Rika Connect. Available now on both iOS and Android devices.
View, validate and monitor your data via our simple yet powerful data logger suite, & export your data to anywhere, including third-party software.
Introducing Rika’s Environmental Monitoring System, the most advanced weather station system & air quality sensor
A weather station & air quality sensor so advanced, yet so simple to setup and use. The Environmental Monitoring System can be easily set to record data at any interval.We provide free cloud platform-Rikacloud,it matches weather station or environmental monitoring terminal provided by Rika. Users can view data at any time through networked PC or mobile device, display curve trend of each measurement parameter, and carry out comparative analysis and printing of data.
