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Hello all. I live in Los Angeles, and there's a house for sale I'm interested in purchasing. The house is closer than 1000 feet to the nearest freeway (not too uncommon in LA), but if I'm going to be living less than 1000 feet from a freeway, I'd really like to test the outdoor air during the inspection period. I'm hoping to take an outdoor monitor over to the property site and measure the air quality. (The house is unoccupied, and I should be able to do this without disturbing anyone.) I've been researching air quality monitors on Google and Amazon, and I see that most are indoor, although there do seem to be a few indoor/outdoor. The thing that really troubles me is reliability. Reviews seem to be all over the place, even for the same device. I'd love to hear from folks that have used an air quality monitor OUTSIDE and feel satisfied with the results. Thanks in advance!

At my current job there is an area with a few giant tubs of chemicals. To ensure that the air in the area is pure we currently use a sensor which sends a light beam across the room and when enough particles are in the air the entire operation shuts down.

The problem is that water vapor is causing many shutdowns, and honestly I don't think this system is a good idea for detecting harmful chemicals anyway.

So does anyone have any ideas on how to detect when these chemicals are at an unsafe concentration so that we can move everyone out of the area?

Thank you

I have noticed an outside smell. It’s like a smell of when someone cuts the grass or comes from outside after a long walk. Sometimes it seems stronger at different times of the day.

I do not see any leaks or ceiling damage. Any idea of what it could be?

I moved to a new house recently (construction ended in January). In the master bedroom 2 of the walls are covered with slat panels (https://www.perfilstar.com/productos/slatpanel/) which are made with some black MDF. (the whole mdf is black, it is not just painted on the outside. If I wipe it the cloth gets black. It like trying to clean a piece of coal)

Even after so many months, those panels give off some particular smell. It is not a very unpleasant smell, but the whole room has that small if its window remains closed for more than a few hours.

Looking at specs of those panels I noticed the following which could be relevant:

• Formaldehyde emission (EN 717-1) -- <=0.05 ppm

• Content in Pentachlorophenol (UNE EN 13986:2006+A1:2015) -- <5 ppm

Is there any way to tell what these panels are off gassing and if it is dangerous. I was thinking to buy a VOC meter, but after some reading my understanding is the I would need to spend 1000s to get a meter that would tell me something useful.

Hi there,

There’s a mysterious sulfurous odor that appears only at night outside in my neighborhood. To give some context I can verify it’s not coming from my house or the sewer. I suspect it might be from some kind of industry near by (there’s a funeral home/ crematory) but need to identify what pollutant it is first. Can anyone recommend a detector that is less than $500?

I already have the $50 VINDSTYRKA particle counter from IKEA, and I highly recommend it. Anything cheaper is junk, and anything better is much more expensive.

What's the analogous product for measuring the amount of VOCs in the air?

I've built an activated carbon air purifier, and I have plans to build more of them. Having a good VOC detector would allow me to see how effectively they're working and to determine if it's time to replace the activated carbon. I know it's time to replace a regular air filter, because it darkens as it accumulates more and more dust and particles. Activated carbon, however, does not change in appearance as it becomes saturated with VOCs. Also, the activated carbon is hidden inside, so I don't get any visual indicator that it needs to be replaced.

The products that I'm considering buying are:

• https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Amazon-Smart-Quality-Monitor/dp/B08W8KS8D3
• https://www.homedepot.com/p/Airthings-Wave-Mini-Battery-Operated-Smart-Indoor-Air-Quality-Monitor-with-Mold-Risk-Indication-2928/316872794
• https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kidde-Smart-Plug-In-Carbon-Monoxide-with-Indoor-Air-Quality-Monitor-21031211/320217176

What do you think of these products? Are there any others that I should consider?

Not sure if this is the right sub, but I have been extremely sensitive to mold since some exposure a long time ago. I have persistent issues with cars, to the point where I have basically decided to drive an open, water-resistant Jeep so that I do not have to deal with HVAC issues and such. It has worked out great.

Unfortunately, my wife does not do this and recently I have been having issues in her car. I think there is some mold in the hvac system, and it seems hard to get rid of. And it blows spores throughout the car and I have to frequently get it detailed and such. I am now going to just buy some professional detail equipment (steam cleaner) and try to do this regularly myself, as the cost of detailing is getting too high.

Just wondering if other people have had these issues and what they have done about it. My most pressing concern is making sure the HVAC system stays clean.

I've just had a chat with Sotirios Papathanasiou, who has today launched GO AQS, in an attempt to unify Air Quality Indexes around the world.

A lot of academics and professionals working in the air quality space are already on board, including a some major names in air quality monitoring.

Here's their press release:

Global Coalition Launches Initiative to Establish Universal Indoor Air Quality Standards: Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS)

A diverse global coalition of scientists, air quality experts, and industry leaders has united to establish the Global Open Air Quality Standards (GO AQS), an unprecedented initiative aimed at creating universal indoor air quality (IAQ) standards. This groundbreaking effort seeks to ensure that everyone, regardless of location or socio-economic status, has access to the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their health and well-being through improved air quality.

GO AQS will serve as an authoritative and comprehensive resource for scientists, engineers, public health officials, businesses, and policymakers worldwide. By providing accessible, consistent and clear, standardised guidelines for IAQ, it empowers people to make informed decisions about their living and working environments, directly impacting health and productivity.

IAQ significantly affects our health, cognitive function, and overall productivity. Poor indoor air can exacerbate respiratory conditions, increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, and contribute to reduced work performance. Establishing universal air quality standards is a critical step in ensuring equitable access to clean and healthy air globally.

The coalition comprises experts from different fields including public health, environmental science, epidemiology, occupational health, engineering, and air quality research. Together, they are dedicated to developing GO AQS standards that are both scientifically robust and practical for implementation across diverse settings. These standards will address a wide range of indoor pollutants, including particulate matter (PM and PCN), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and formaldehyde (CH2O), which are known to have significant adverse effects on human health and environment.

GO AQS aims to be a valuable tool for the public, private sector, and academia alike. Organisations that adopt these standards can enhance the health and well-being of their employees and customers, while simultaneously reducing their environmental footprint. This initiative also supports broader sustainability goals by promoting healthier indoor environments.

While air quality interrogators and manufacturers are supportive of the overall goals of GO AQS, there are areas where the draft version requires further refinement to ensure its practical implementation. We remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to finalise a version of GO AQS that is both effective and feasible for the industry. Therefore the coalition is currently finalising the GO AQS standards and developing educational materials to facilitate their global implementation. The official launch is anticipated in December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the global effort to prioritise IAQ.

Joining the GO AQS Coalition offers a unique opportunity to be part of a transformative initiative that redefines the way we approach ΙΑQ. Coalition members will collaborate with leading experts to develop and implement standards that will benefit communities worldwide, driving a healthier, more sustainable future. For more information and to learn how you can contribute, please visit www.goaqs.org.

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the double post this evening. I just made one looking for suggestions on what type of fan to buy, and getting some feedback specific for ventilating out windows. However I don't really have windows in this space... If anyone could take a look at the room layout I have here and help advise on what they think may work best for a ventilation plan I would really appreciate it.

For reference I am currently renting a new build bachelor apartment, built within a garage. It is all one space. There is an entrance storm door with half a pull down screen. A small kitchen window on the same wall. And a full mesh back door screen, accessible through a door and small foyer. I included a rough room layout sketch with the photos. My goal is to ventilate out VOCs.

My original plan was to get a standing fan by the entrance door blowing air diagonally across the room, and another fan pointed out the back screen door. Not sure if it would be better to try to vent something out the kitchen window. Please let me know your thoughts.

https://imgur.com/a/HuGNlOm

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at getting some high quality fans to move air out of an apartment I'm renting that has high levels of VOCs.

Does anyone know if the design of the fan matters as far as where it's going to pull air from in the room? I'm looking for one that can push air out of the window. Someone here recommended Vornado and I was looking at this model:

Vornado RTR Heavy Duty Air Circulator, 3-Speed High Velocity Shop Blower Fan

but then I saw other models such as this one for example:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-20-in-3-Speed-High-Velocity-Floor-Fan-SFC1-500B/318152095

That has a CFM of 4800, versus the Vornado is just over 1000 CFM. I'm not sure if this is the most important variable to look at? or if design matters too?

I live on the second floor of an apartment that faces the parking lot. Usually the lot gets around 15-30 cars of normal use. But very frequently, I have 5-6 people sitting in their cars and idling. How do I mitigate the effect of this for my indoor air quality? I already have one of those Terrabloom air purifiers, and I'm planning on getting spider plants and a hepa filter. I never open my windows or balcony door but I know for a fact they don't have the best of seals. I don't / can't add caulk to the windows, so do I resort to just using duct tape? And what would be my full risk of not really doing much about it?

https://purennatural.com/products/newaire-na50-natural-air-freshener?srsltid=AfmBOooNibeO48CErN-vXjrB_gbVFpQNan2a5COOSb4NioQCaep562Yq

Is this product safe for a HVAC room in a residential home with children?

Hi - I've decided I need an air purifier for my living room where I have a log burner.

We have a large living room (full length of the house), can anybody recommend a good value purifier for the job? I've found some cracking log cost ones but they're based in the US so not feasible to ship to the UK. A lot of the usual purifiers on Amazon etc are for smaller rooms or just don't seem very good.

Also, how much am I looking at for an air quality sensor? I don't really want to fork out much money.
Thanks

Thank you

I have a basement workshop in an area where radon might be a problem. Also small particles are always a problem in wood working.

I would be interested in recommendations for air quality monitors for tracking the small particle count generated by wood working and for tracking the radon also.

I am a novice in this so advice regarding if these things are even feasible to track reliably with consumer grade products and links to instructions reviews etc. Are also helpful and welcome. Thank you in advance!

i want a air quality meter for my room. ideally i dont want to spend a lot more than 50 euros.

Hello,

I purchased a newly renovated old home (the home is from 1950 but no major issues with it) and they redid everything.

I am seriously alarmed that we live about 10 minute away from a paper mill and occasionally the air quality level inside the house will jump from 0.10-0.20 tvoc to about 0.80 tvoc and I cough and it irritates my lungs.

I panicked and bought 2 air purifier with HEPA, charcoal filters that are industrial level and it barely makes a ding. It's not always this air quality but sometimes the mill runoff will come our way and be that high.

I'm having panic attacks beause I didn't realize we were so close to the mill. Will I get lung cancer form staying here? What else can I do? I wanna sell my house so fast now :(

Am I overreacting?

Btw I'm using Hatha air purifiers and I bought two of the largest ones.

I'm distraught, having trouble eating and sleeping and regret my choice so much.

Thanks

So we bought what I thought were solid very heavy wood doors that were primed however after taking them out of the plastic wrap they smell HORRIBLE. At first I thought maybe it was due to the primer. I looked up the door and while it says it's made of wood it also says MDF. I'm concerned about off gassing now because I have two young kids and have 3 of these super smelly doors. We already hung them up so I don't think I can return them. They weren't cheap either.

So I bought 2 qingping ar monitor lite. Wondering about the sensors. What is the lifespan? How long will they keep working before they need to be replaced?

I've been seeing a lot of ads for the Birdie air monitor, and really like the concept, but not the price. I can be pretty bad at airing out my room, and would love to have something on my wall or desk that will tell me when my room needs fresh air.

Bonus points if it can also tell me the temperature of my room.

Currently have a 90-96% high effiency gas furnace.

Been buying both Glasfloss Z-Line MERV 10 and Home Depot's Honeywell FPR 7 filters for a while now. Thinking about going to a lesser MERV, like 8 but didn't see Glasfloss making a 1" MERV 8 filter in that size.

Any recs for brands that fit within my spec range? What do y'all use? Thanks.

We have a newer home and lately (last few months) we’ve been getting poor air quality alerts from our Ecobee thermostat (in both the VOC and CO2 sensors). Our home has a fresh air intake, but we have it shut off because of the humidity this time of year in NTX. We ran it like this all summer last year with no air quality problems.

If we open the windows, it does help but doesn’t come down past “fair”. I was beginning to think the sensor on the thermostat (which is in our bedroom) was bad, but we also have a fancy motorized bed frame from tempur pedic that also tracks air quality and is being reported as poor. It also has been reporting this around the same time frame as the thermostat. So i feel like the sensors are correct but I’m unsure how to fix the problem.

We regularly change our furnace/AC filter.

Any ideas?

Good evening, I've been scrolling through Amazon reviews on air purifiers and humidifiers. Unfortunately, not one of them has completely convinced me that it would be safe to use inside the household.

My concerns are that I want the air purifier and humidifier to be safe to use (like this is something I would like to invest in, and possibly get a good guarantee just in case it breaks)

What I mean by safety is: No cancer causing, no mold build up, no fire's from potentially happening, no harmful particles (I don't know much about this topic, all I know is that I want an air purifier and an air humidifier that won't cause me and my family mode harm than good, please help me decide on which of these to choose. I'd like to buy them separately 🙏)

Also, is true that you can't use both at the same time because they block each other out? Some people say you SHOULD use them at the same time, it's confusing to me because I'm not sure which to belive.

I know the gov't gave out money / grants to schools during the earlier part of the pandemic for improving indoor air quality.

Is anyone aware of where I can find if any funds are presently available? This is for New York state.
Thank you.

Hi all, trying to buy a home in a VHCOL area and my options are limited. A lot of what is available to me is near a highway (sometimes very near or close to two) and/or in neighborhoods that the sources I can find eg local air quality board say have bad air.

That said, every source I can find - government data, purple air etc - shows that the air the PM2.5 is below 50 most of the time. Usually 20-30 depending on the location. So is the air really so bad?

I want to be smart and prioritize my health but very confused on how to think abo it stuff.

We had an issue with our dryer vent and it was venting directly into our attic space for a few months. The attic also houses our HVAC systems, so I'm worried that there is a lot of dryer dust all around my home.

Now that the issue is resolved, would it be advisable to rent a high powered air scrubber for a few days to put in the attic and other rooms around the house to clean the air?