Chasing Clean Air

IQ Air: AirVisual Pro Air Quality Monitor Review

The fan in upper left represents indoor carbon dioxide levels. Numbers by boys represent AQI levels. Green for good.

In January, Los Angeles experienced a Covid spike, upon a spike. As the disaster worsened, my air quality thoughts  expanded to contemplate indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. The gas we exhale after inhaling oxygen. If too many people exhale in shared indoor space, during an active pandemic, without good ventilation, well, that stagnant air may portend a potential problem for some unlucky person(s). 

Reading Covid air quality articles, I understood ventilation was necessary to ensure better shared air, and CO2 levels was an indicator whether a shared space may be safer than otherwise during a pandemic, especially during a spike upon a spike. I read about high concentrations of carbon dioxide in places like grocery stores when they're crowded (or recently crowded) with suggestions to return when less people are present, or recently present, especially if one is at high risk for complications from Covid. 

It got me thinking.

How would I know when the ventilation was optimal where I am? Or whether it's time to open the windows, turn on an air purifier, or walk outside? Since vaccinated people may start visiting one another indoors, I decided an air quality monitor may make me feel safer given talk of variants and fact that vaccines aren't 100% effective. 

Enter the AirVisual Pro Air Quality Monitor

As it turns out, I got much more than I bargained for with IQ Air's smart air quality monitor. It is a wonderful, helpful addition to my IQ Air HealthPro Plus Air Purifier. When alerted about unhealthful indoor and outdoor air, in essence, the monitor and purifier work in tandem. The monitor also saves me money, in that it lets me know when my indoor air quality is good. Therefore, I don't need to turn on the air purifier, which utilizes replaceable filters.

The monitor measures the Air Quality Index (AQI), a system with a range of 0-500 for reporting the severity of air quality levels. The monitor includes measurements for temperature and humidity, PM2.5, and CO2. 

CO2 is a naturally occurring gas that is often in rural concentrations around 380 and city concentrations 500. High CO2 means you need fresh air. There's rarely long term health effects but in the short term, it can contribute to headaches, sluggishness, brain fog. More importantly, according to IQAir literature, "... high CO2 is an indication of stagnant air which tends to have less oxygen, and more bacteria, mold and other harmful particles like VOCs."

The monitor recommends when to open or close your windows or turn on an air purifier, depending on pollution and CO2 levels. As well, it measures outdoor air quality nearby and will let you know if it's safe to exercise outside or if you should wear a mask. (In Los Angeles, we are told to wear a mask outside whenever near others and I do.)

While the air quality monitor has a battery, which I surmise I may be able to take for a quick ride to the grocery story, it is meant to run on electricity for home use and will integrate with a smart home system. The air quality monitor integrates its information wirelessly via a mobile App that constantly updates air quality information at home and nearby outdoors, where the closest air monitors are located. In my case, Beverly Hills, which is approximately 20 miles away.

I have used the monitor for two months now.

One morning, I woke with a headache. I looked at the air quality monitor and it showed that my CO2 and pollution levels were high indoors. I'd left my gas heater on all night by mistake. The monitor alerted me to open the windows because air quality was poor indoors and good outdoors.

One afternoon, I had all my windows open when a neighbor decided to run his motorcycle for the sake of running it stationary within feet of my windows! My monitor registered elevated poor indoor air quality; it alerted me to close the windows. I turned on the air purifier and watched my levels come down promptly. That was interesting how fast the air shifted and improved given air purifier use.

Another time, both the outdoor and indoor air quality wasn't great, and the monitor said to close the windows. I did and I turned on my IQ Air air purifier, and watched the monitor quickly show my indoor air improve. 

The air quality monitor works with the AirVisual Pro Air Quality App. After initially pairing my devices - the monitor and my iPhone - I was able to check my phone in order to be informed about my air quality levels before arriving home. It told me whether my windows should be opened or closed, if the air purifier was needed, and what my indoor and outdoor air temperatures were. It shows previous and predicts future air quality and temps. The App is a great resource for air quality information from around the world, which you can also find on the IQ Air website. It lists real time air quality from major cities, which is interesting. Turns out, due to the pandemic, Los Angeles has rated some of the best air quality in the world. As things reopen, we'll see how long that lasts. People do like working from home, so I am hopeful.

According to the IQ Air website:

IQAir AirVisual is a proud air quality monitoring partner of the United Nations Environment Programme. The IQAir AirVisual Platform brings together data collected by governments, companies, and individuals around the world to support the UNEP's global health policies and to help us bring air quality data to the 9 out of 10 people worldwide who still need clean air to breathe.

Track key air pollutants including: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO₂, CO₂, & SO₂ in a beautiful, simple display.

Actually I'm not sure about PM10, NO2 and SO2, those elements aren't on my monitor's display though the system may account for them in the AQI. 

Overall, I'm extremely happy with my air quality monitor, and appreciate the soundness of mind it gives me. I'm looking forward to hosting my first indoor dinner and music jam in over a year--after my friends and I are fully vaccinated--and rest assured I'll check my air quality and CO2 levels for added safety given, as of this writing, Fauci still warns about variants. 

For more information or to purchase an air quality monitor for yourself, check out IQ Air. 

 

Lately, Consistent Clean Air in Los Angeles

 

March 2020 Los Angeles Hiking before trails shutdown to stop coronavirus spread

To blog or not to blog, that is the question. On hiatus after cumulative major life events: the care and passing of my mom, multiple evacuations from Los Angeles fires, learning how to live in the age of coronavirus and be an advocate for my 90-year old dad, who lives in an assisted living facility with coronavirus spread. 

The good news regarding Los Angeles air quality: Blue skies and clean air has become the norm in Los Angeles where cars and planes no longer pollute. Few people work. Just before the coronavirus hit California, I'd gone to Tucson, Arizona and really liked it: Beauty, clean air, hiking trails, open space. 

January 2020 Hiking Gates Pass, Tucson, AZ

 

Sabino Canyon, Tucson

 

Now I focus on grocery shopping. I haven't been able to get a food delivery. The city public health officials talked about a possible surge this week; and suggested many of us avoid shopping if possible. So my thoughts revolve around shopping: mask, gloves, Lysol wipes (but so few left and none to buy), timing, wondering when the best time to shop with fewer people.

Be safe: Wear a mask. Remain six feet or more apart. Respect one another. Vote for Biden. 

 

IQAir Mask To Protect Your Lungs from Smoke

If you've ever inhaled smoke from a California wildfire, you'll understand why I plan to protect my lungs from future pollution with The IQAir Mask. Currently in my emergency go-bag because I trust IQ Air, leaders in air quality technology, this mask is said to filter 95% of fine particulates with KN95 respiratory technology: PM2.5, ultra fine particles and particulates commonly found in smoke, smog, and pollen from the air we breathe. 

According to Frank Hammes, President of IQAir, "Whether you are near a wildfire or just fighting everyday pollution, IQAir’s Mask is an easy way to ensure you are breathing only clean air. The Mask features HyperHEPA™ filter technology, the same filter technology that is an integral part of our award-winning air purifiers. The IQAir Mask is an easy and practical way to help ensure you and your family are protected from harmful air pollution."

For the approximate cost of dinner for two to four in West Los Angeles, $69, you get 10 masks that are suitable for men, women, and children over 14. Also child size masks are available. Please read the instructions for proper fit and usage.  

I use an IQ Air air purifier at home and look forward to using the IQAir Mask if - but scientists say when - the next wildfire breaks out and smoke blows my way. Who am I kidding? Los Angeles wildfires and air pollution are legendary. Here's one of many fire and air pollution stories I wrote back in 2007. 

Purchase IQAir Masks here.

 

City of Porterville, California Gets All-Electric Buses to Mitigate Air Pollution

The City of Porterville is located in California's San Joaquin Valley, which has some of the worst air pollution in the United States. So the benefits of deploying the EV350 all-electric buses are huge and include cleaner air and quieter operation.

If Porterville can do it, your town can provide carbon and pollution-free buses, too.

Two of ten EV350 all-electric transit buses were delivered to the City of Porterville to replace existing CNG (compressed natural gas) powered transit buses. The EV350 was designed and built by California based GreenPower, a manufacturer of all-electric buses. The next three EV350 all-electric transit buses are expected to be delivered in April, with the remaining five by the summer. 

Commenting on the buses delivery, Peter Christensen of the California Air Resources Board, which provided the California Climate Investments grant funding to the City for purchasing the new buses, said:

“We are pleased to see GreenPower meeting these important milestones. The citizens of Porterville will benefit in the near-term from immediate air quality benefits, and in the longer term from the jobs and on-site job training at GreenPower’s Porterville manufacturing facility currently under construction.”


 

Atem Personal Air Purifier Review

With fire comes smoke with smoke comes masks (selling out in California hardware stores), with masks come the desire for breathing clean air and using indoor air purifiers. My favorite air purifier company, Swiss-based IQAir, just introduced Atem, a personal Air Purifier for home office, or any personal zone, use.

Atem means breath. Every breath we take adds to or diminishes our quality of life. 

Atem Personal Air Purifier is sleek.

At 4.1 pounds... it's portable.

With dimensions measured in inches - 13" x 13"x 5.8"... it's easy to find a space in your bedroom, office or living room. 

The Atem compact air purifier uses a powerful HyperHEPA to create a clean breathing space. German-made, the modern-looking white sphere attaches to a thin metal stand. Similar to an iPhone touch, you simply touch the center of the sphere with two fingers. With each touch, you hear a sound and a color hue corresponds to the air speed you desire. A small blue light equals low speed. Medium blue light equals medium speed and full blue light equals high speed. 

To enhance your experience, there's the IQAir Atem App. This App allows you to adjust the fan speed, light and sound settings, get filter life notifications, and turn the air purifier on and off. 

I currently use the Atem Personal Air Purifier in the living room near the couch where I read. I use the IQAir HealthPro Plus in my bedroom. According to many reputable studies, IQAir provides some of the best indoor air protection you can find. 

In 2003, IQAir was chosen by the Hong Kong Hospitals as the mobile air cleaner to be used in the fight against SARS. The HKHA's selection of IQAir marked the first time specialized air cleaners to be used as a control measure against SARS. Moreover, IQAir has been approved by the FDA's (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) Department of Health and Human Services as a Class II medical device.

Recently, at approximately 6:15 a.m. I received a text from the city to evacuate. As you know, fire has been spreading throughout California. I was lucky and returned home after three days. Nonetheless, the air quality suffered. While we often can't dissipate air pollution, we can get  relief with quality air purifiers. And that's why I use them. 

To read more information about the IQAir Atem Personal Air Purifier, click here. To watch a video, click here.

 

SoCal Connected Explores Leaf Blowers' Impact on Air Pollution: KCET 8 p.m. Nov. 14, 2017

Learn about air pollution and leaf blowers on KCET.  Socal Connected investigates motorized outdoor equipment including leaf blowers and lawnmowers, which may surpass cars as California's top pollutant. In a joint investigation with FairWarning, SoCal Connected looks at the politics and pollution behind leaf blowers.

Leaf blowers cause noise and pollution, and contribute to climate change. Enforced stricter regulations and bans are needed. You can watch the TV special: "Politics and Pollution" on Nov. 14, 2017 at 8 pm on KCET.