Honeywell has released a new, user-friendly monitor that alerts users when indoor air conditions may present an increased risk of potentially transmitting airborne viruses in schools, restaurants and other spaces.
The Honeywell Transmission Risk Air Monitor is an easy-to-deploy, portable device that measures carbon dioxide and features a proprietary risk alerting system based on user-selected activity levels within a room.
The new monitor incorporates a proprietary algorithm developed by Honeywell based on research conducted at the University of Colorado on the influence of aerosols on the transmission risks of airborne viruses.
Users are alerted when conditions are present that indicate a certain air risk factor level is reached so they can increase ventilation with outdoor air and/or improve air filtration, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends as important components of a larger strategy for indoor air quality.
Chief marketing officer of Honeywell's gas analysis and safety business, Mary Furto, said the importance of indoor air quality will not disappear when the pandemic comes to an end.
Furto said people are more aware of and cognizant to the potential impact that indoor air quality can have on well-being and productivity.
"Our monitor provides an efficient and simple way for users to be alerted if their indoor spaces present increased risk factors by analyzing breathable air.,” she said.
“This can enable users to understand when to take appropriate actions such as increasing ventilation in a room."
Honeywell's monitor uses CO2, temperature and humidity sensors and offers three pre-programmed activity level settings.
It features a green, yellow or red light to alert users about the potential for increased indoor air risk factors.
It incorporates an easy-to-read digital display, a rechargeable battery and is Bluetoothand WiFi-enabled to allow for connectivity between the device and its mobile application and online dashboard.
Scientific evidence suggests using air monitors to measure indoor environmental air can be an efficient method to assess the potential risk and exposure to airborne viruses, which can fluctuate based on CO2 concentration levels and how active people are in a space.
Professor of Chemistry and CIRES Fellow, University of Colorado-Boulder, Jose-Luis Jimenez, said research shows a close correlation between the likelihood of transmitting airborne viruses and increased carbon dioxide levels.
"Our recommendation is to display a real-time carbon dioxide monitor in all public indoor spaces so people can learn quickly what environments are safer or less safe for a given activity,” he said.