I've started a new project to provide interactive data analysis on CO2 levels. The data is gathered from Aranet monitors or can be entered manually.
I have started gathering a public dataset of files and can now accept submissions via GitHub. That dataset is presented in a public dashboard for analysis by anyone.
If you prefer a private analysis, you can clone this project and run it on your own machine, using the free Power BI Desktop tool.
Over time, I hope to add features for tagging of location and categorisation.
I’ve always been interested in monitoring indoor Air Quality. I think the itch to monitor indoor Air Quality grew over the years as the wild fires started getting worse, here in California. I even have a dedicated Watch (Apple) face that includes the Air Quality Index (AQI) complication.
Indoor Air Quality
Monitoring air quality typically includes monitoring Carbon dioxide (CO2), Particulate Matter (PM2.5 – represents particles that <= 2.5 microns in diameter), Temperature, Humidity, and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC). Some monitors include a few other stats, but these are more common.
There are many monitors available online that monitor these. Most of them are either bulky, wired, fugly, or just inaccurate.
After some research, earlier this year, I found 2 very good indoor air quality monitors.
One is from Awair, called the Element. It monitors all of the above, but it’s wired. Even though it looks cool, it’s slightly bigger than what I wanted. So, I went with the other one that I liked, the SAF Aranet4 Home.
This one is wireless, replaceable battery operated (2 AAs), has a cool E Ink display but it doesn’t include PM2.5/TVOC monitoring. It’s apparently quite accurate and the best part is that it’s tiny.
1000 ppm to 1400 ppm – brain cognitive function decreases by 15%
> 1400 ppm – brain cognitive function decreases by 50%
CO2 levels are expressed in ppm – parts per million
So yeah, I was shocked to know we were living in conditions where we had 50% less brain cognitive function. Maybe this explains all the dumb shit I do ☺️
One way I could think of lowering this number was by improving ventilation and that’s by opening up the windows and doors. This improved the CO2 level very quickly. After monitoring it for a couple of days, I’ve gathered the CO2 data and how proper ventilation affects the value.
The green region shows an uptick and that’s because I moved the monitor into the hall. Opening bedroom windows seemed to lower the overall indoor CO2.
Possible ways to improve indoor CO2/Air Quality
There are a number of solutions to fix different aspects of indoor air quality.
Improving ventilation – Simplest way is to open the windows and balcony/patio doors to let the air circulate around. I’ve been using this technique and it has been working wonders.
Air Purifier – These are not cheap, at least the good ones. These are great when the outside air quality is poor or during winters, when you can’t really open your windows while it’s cold outside.
Indoor Plants – Plants need CO2 to function. Naturally, these are great to help improve indoor CO2 levels.
Replace AC’s Air filters – Replace air filters to improve your indoor air quality.
I suspect my home AC’s air filters. They might need to be replaced. I will monitor the data from my sensor for another week and see if it indeed does require a replacement. I will report back my findings soon.
In the past, I tried using a PM2.5 monitor with my Raspberry Pi. It worked wonders but having the Pi run all the time seemed like a hassle for this use case.
Update on my partner, he's still positive (day 9 of positive tests, day 10 since symptoms, and 12 days since exposure). He's starting to feel a little better, cold-like symptoms remain and immense fatigue. He'll continue isolating until he's had two negative tests 48 hours apart.
In other news, today was an exciting day for me. All booked for my #Novavax COVID shot! I had to wait 90 days from my previous positive test in August, per epidemiological recommendations, and I have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest location that carries it, but I'm looking forward to the protection it'll offer before the next surge.
Stay #COVIDSMART:
🛌 Isolate when showing symptoms or testing [+]
😷 Wear N95s indoors
🫧 Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces
👐 Clean hands regularly
🪟 Open windows
🔲 Air purifiers & HEPA filters
🧪 Test (swabbing throat and nose on RAT) & report +C19 cases to @makemytestcount
I use and like the #Aranet4#CO2 monitor. The #Aranet 4 is usually USD$249. It's on sale, direct from the manufacturer, till September 17, for $184.35, with free shipping in the US.
@brainwane Ordered one just now on Amazon with the free shipping. I have a Vitalight CO2 monitor, but its battery life is very poor. It is rechargeable at least. It is also not that easy to use, especially the warning buzzer. I'm looking forward to getting the #Aranet one. I like the fact it uses E-ink and has a very long battery life. TY for posting this.
Full readings from my time at the PCP this week. Not good - especially in a known COVID surge in MA - better ventilation, HEPA (merv 13) filters, and masking would go miles in protecting your staff and patients from acquired illness at your facilities.
**Outdoors, CO2 levels are 400-475 ppm. Above 800 ppm, at least 1% of your air is “shared” - meaning you're breathing in exhaled air. CO2 levels above 1,000 ppm is a sign there are elevated risks of potential virus transmission for everyone in the room. Spaces with multiple occupants should aim for 600 ppm to prevent cross-infection.
A lot of people still think about Covid as a wash your hands and socially distance kind of thing.
Chances of getting Covid from touching something is near zero and we're far more likely to catch it from someone we can't see because it can stay in the air for a long time, drift long distances, and remain potent long after a contagious person is gone (as much as 2 hours).
This is why improving ventilation is one of the most important things you can do to reduce risks of infection for yourself and people around you. With good air flow, an infectious person is less dangerous. Infected air is diluted and can't linger to keep infecting.
I took a variety of CO2 readings to estimate indoor air quality. Based on these readings, places I wouldn't want to be unmasked would be: house gatherings, offices, meeting rooms, conventions, public transit, a plane, funerals.
Places that may not be as risky as originally believed are: supermarkets, pharmacies, and restaurants.
@sysop408 We changed the threshold and have also added the front sticker that calculates the levels of re-breathed air. They are very helpful when I take the #Aranet along to offices or meetings, as they communicate the necessity to ventilate without me having to do all the talking.
People talking or laughing also makes a difference. Best example is me on my desk alone or me on my desk in a phone call or video conference. That, as well as the HVAC, is why most larger shops are relatively okay.
@alisonborealis
Interesting. I borrowed an #Aranet CO2 monitor from #EPL and I'm pretty curious about all of the information it provides. The biggest lesson for me is that my apartment has toxic CO2 levels at all times unless I keep the window cracked open in both rooms. I was also cracking open the apartment door, with the door chain on. That doesn't seem to be much help on the top floor. I'm happy that my humidity reaches the lower levels of acceptable, keeping my humidifier running.