Here you can find information about the Atmocube built-in sensors and their respective ranges.
The Indoor Air Quality Index (IAQI) provides a quick snapshot of overall air quality. It offers a comprehensive view of air quality by transforming AQ data into a combined and user-friendly index. For more detailed information on the IAQI, please refer to the page at this link.
The breakpoint table for IAQI is given below:
Carbon dioxide, CO2, is an odorless non-toxic gas. People exhale CO2 when they breathe, so if there are several people in a poorly ventilated room, its concentration increases and this affects occupants’ wellbeing. This is the reason why this parameter is important in terms of indoor air quality.
In indoor spaces, safe standards for CO2 concentrations are 400-1000 ppm (parts per million).
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
PM1 are ultrafine particles with a diameter smaller than 1 micrometer: dust, combustion particles, bacteria. It’s a major subset of PM2.5.
Reference:
Air Quality Index Recommendations for the composition
and interpretation - RIVM
PM2.5 or fine particles are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller. They can be made of different chemicals like black carbon, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, etc. They also include pollen, mold, fungal spores, soot, etc.
PM2.5 can be airborne allergens, including molds and fungi, dander, dust mites, and cockroach antigens, and can induce an immune response, they are capable of causing illness at very low exposure levels.
Reference:
Air Quality Index Recommendations for the composition
and interpretation - RIVM
PM10 or coarse dust particles refer to particles with a diameter less than or equal to 10 microns in size. They are about 30 times smaller than the width of human hair and are small enough to get inhaled into our lungs.
Reference:
Air Quality Index Recommendations for the composition
and interpretation - RIVM
TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) is the total concentration of volatile organic compounds in the air. VOCs are carbon-containing chemical gases emitted from solids and liquids. Studies show that indoor concentrations of VOCs are higher than outdoor ones.
Besides being hazardous, VOCs play a significant role in the formation of ozone and fine particulates (PM) in the atmosphere.
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are carbon-containing chemical gases emitted from solids and liquids. Studies show that indoor concentrations of VOCs are higher than outdoor ones.
The VOC index represents the relative intensity and duration of VOC events. The VOC Index visualizes VOC events on a logarithmic scale and relative to the typical indoor gas composition during the last 24 hours. The algorithm calculates the average value for the last 24 hours and assigns it the VOC Index = 100. This means that level “typical” refers to the typical conditions of the environment. The scale does not represent absolute concentrations.
The VOC Index notifies the user when air pollution changes. Notifications are actionable in environments with low and high VOC backgrounds independent of the absolute VOC concentrations.
Reference: What is Sensirion’s VOC Index?
Nitrogen oxides are produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and help create particle pollution. Cooking with gas stoves or polluted outdoor air entering from busy roads affect indoor air quality. However, nitrogen oxides are also produced due to natural atmospheric processes. Nitrogen oxides—especially nitrogen dioxide—irritate and damage the respiratory system. Elevated concentrations in the air we breathe have a negative effect on lung function.
NOx index represents relative intensity and duration of NOx events within 1 to 500 points interval.
Reference: What is Sensirion’s VOC Index?
Formaldehyde, CH2O is a colorless volatile organic compound with a strong odor. There are two main sources of it: off-gassing and combustion. Formaldehyde is presented outdoors, but its concentrations indoors are higher due to its emission prevalence in building materials and household products.
Generally, people feel comfortable at temperatures between 21°C to 27°C (69°F to 80°F).
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
Generally, people feel comfortable at a relative humidity between 40% to 60%.
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
Light intensity or Light illuminance refers to the amount of light provided by a light source and evaluates whether the given space has good visibility to perform different tasks.
Light intensity is measured in lux, the number of lumens falling on a square meter, or footcandles (fc), the number of lumens per square foot.
Light intensity requirements depend on the space's specific purposes.
For example, the light levels for a conference room or a library should be 300-500 lux (30-50 fc) while professional laboratories require 750-1200 lux (75-120 fc). Workspaces for people engaged in skillful handwork or for the elderly people need more than 500 lux (46 fc).
During the day, we need high levels of light to stay fresh and alert. In addition, proper light levels prevent eye strain, which allows us to work comfortably for longer periods of time.
Anything from 5 lux (0,46 fc) has the potential to disrupt your sleep, so where possible, dim the lights and avoid screens for an hour before you head for bed – that includes phone screens, which can emit 40 (4 fc) lux of light.
Sunlight typically has an intensity between 50,000 and 100,000 lux (4,600 and 9,300 fc) – far higher than average artificial lighting which is from 250 to 500 lux (23 to 50 fc). Don’t forget to go outdoors periodically to catch sunlight that has a positive effect on our health, energy, and mood.
The light sensor doesn't help comply with Green Building certifications.
Reference: OSHA: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
A sound's loudness is measured in decibels (dB). Normal conversation is about 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine running is about 95 dB. Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged time period may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears.
The noise floor level is 37 dB. The background noise sensor is intended for initial detection and comparison of the indoor noises, not for precise measurement of noise in -dB.
Due to inherent limitations in this class of devices (the sensor being inside the enclosure), we don't recommend usage for actual measurements, but rather for initial monitoring to detect anomalies over time and compare noise levels between several locations.
Reference: CDC: What Noises Cause Hearing Loss?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people during sleep. People may have irreversible brain damage or even die before the problem will be revealed.
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
O3 is a colorless, odorless gas at ambient concentrations and is a major component of smog.
Ozone irritates the respiratory tract and eyes. Exposure to high levels results in chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. People with respiratory and heart problems are at a higher risk.
Reference: Development of Indoor Environmental Index
