Preventing Air Pollution in the Smart Home: Tips & Advice
Indoor air pollution can affect your well-being and health. We track down sources of air pollution in the smart home, give tips for choosing eco-friendly devices, smart ventilation control, and targeted prevention. We also show how you can use connected systems for optimal air quality.
1. Causes of air pollution at home
Indoor air pollution can be caused by various sources.
Identifying common sources of air pollutants
The most common indoor air pollutants are particulate matter, VOCs, and nitrogen oxides like carbon monoxide. But excess moisture content can also lead to air quality problems, for example through mold growth. Particulate matter forms, among other things, from cooking, is released when using electronic devices like laser printers, is emitted by poorly maintained heating systems and air conditioning, or enters the home through air exchange. Scented candles, perfume, aggressive cleaning products, and alcohol, on the other hand, are sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Combustion processes, for example from fireplaces and stoves, also produce carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and other pollutants that negatively affect air quality.
Health effects & the importance of preventing air pollution
The health effects of indoor air pollution can vary widely, ranging from short-term discomfort to long-term health problems. Besides the air pollutants described above, there are other air components that can impair well-being or even pose a health risk. In the table below, we list these and show what health effects can result from poor air quality.
| Indoor pollutant | health effects | possible sources |
| Particulate matter | respiratory inflammation, carcinogenic, allergies, cardiovascular impairment, heart attack, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose & throat | cooking, fireplace & stove operation, laser printers, electrical devices |
| VOC | altered sense of smell & taste, irritation of the eyes or mucous membranes, poor concentration, exhaustion, dry skin, eczema, headaches, carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductively toxic | paints, adhesives, plastic flooring, furniture, flooring, air fresheners, varnishes, building materials |
| Carbon monoxide | cold-like symptoms, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness & permanent brain damage | road traffic, leaky or malfunctioning fireplaces & stoves, gas stoves, propane-powered patio heaters |
| Mold | reduced quality of life & well-being, congested airways, feeling of catching a cold, headaches, reduced performance | behind furniture/in window recesses: anywhere with moisture, standing water, or cold bridges |
| Formaldehyde | allergies, respiratory/eye & skin irritation, concentration problems, sleep disturbances, carcinogenic, mutagenic | insulation materials, adhesives for particle board/wood-based materials, varnishes, wall paints, carpets & other home textiles |
| Plasticizers | carcinogenic, developmentally toxic, reproductively toxic | toys, cosmetics, paints, varnishes, wall plaster, flooring, carpets |
| Wood preservatives | carcinogenic, neurotoxic, skin irritation | wood furniture, particle board & lumber, paints (e.g. for windows & doors), varnishes, wood stains |
| Pesticides | carcinogenic, reproductive disorders, cardiac & respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes, neurological conditions | furniture (with textile upholstery), flooring, facade paint, primers, wood stains, insect spray, insect/pest traps |
| Tobacco | chronic lung disease, carcinogenic, damage to the eyes/periodontal tissue/digestive tract/skeleton/reproductive organs, infertility | smoking "regular" cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes in the home |
2. Tips for avoiding air pollution in the smart home
By reducing air pollutants through implementing preventive measures in your smart home, you simultaneously minimize their impact on your health.
Choosing eco-friendly devices
Use devices that release fewer air pollutants. For example, prefer an inkjet printer over a laser printer, since these release significantly less ultrafine particulate matter (you'll find precise measurement data in our practical test). Modern kitchen appliances, especially those with energy-efficient technology, can help reduce air pollution. This also applies to range hoods, which efficiently vent cooking fumes. Air purifiers with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters also help filter particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet hair from the air.
Regular maintenance of heating & cooling systems
Poorly maintained heating systems and air conditioning can release dust, dirt, and other particles into the air, especially if filters aren't cleaned or replaced regularly. Needs-based ventilation, guided by current readings, can also save on heating costs.
Air analysis & air measurement
A one-time air analysis, or ideally continuous air measurement, are crucial tools for understanding air quality and taking targeted improvement measures. Through a precise air analysis, for example with the air-Q, you identify specific sources of pollutants indoors and recognize potential health risks, letting you specifically address those sources. An air quality analysis raises awareness of the effects of certain behaviors and can encourage behavioral change. Based on air measurement, you detect sudden changes in your smart home and respond quickly to elevated pollutant emissions. Continuous air monitoring also serves as an early warning system for potential dangers like a leaking gas line.
Effective ventilation strategies in the smart home based on air measurement data
Air quality monitors like the air-Q can be integrated into your smart home. When certain pollutant levels are reached, the monitor shows this via an intuitively understandable LED traffic light. It also sends you warnings like push notifications and can trigger automatic actions from your smart ventilation system or air purifier. Smart ventilation systems can also be programmed based on the readings, so they ventilate automatically either at set times or as needed.
Using air purification devices
If you already take air purification measures, for example through air purification devices or an air purification system integrated into your smart home, an air analysis can monitor the effectiveness of these measures. The air-Q can be paired with many air purification devices. Compared to purifiers, the monitor has significantly more and higher-quality sensors to detect air pollutants. This enables targeted air purification. By pairing them, you also ensure that air quality continues to meet the desired standards.
3. Smart technologies for air quality monitoring
For your smart home's ventilation strategy, the air-Q's air measurement provides data on various air quality parameters like CO₂ level, particulate matter, VOC, humidity, and temperature. By analyzing these parameters, the air quality monitor assesses air quality, letting you respond to potential problems. The air-Q also transmits its measurement data to your smart window opener, central ventilation control, or heat recovery system (HRV), so these too are automatically controlled to let in fresh air when needed.
Sensors for detecting air pollutants
Compared to other air quality monitors, the air-Q offers you the most sensors, letting you measure a wide range of air components in real time. Depending on the chosen air-Q model, from light to science, you can examine room air for up to 15 different readings: particulate matter (PM₁ – PM₂.₅ – PM₁₀), carbon dioxide (CO₂), oxygen (O₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOC), methane (CH₄), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), relative & absolute humidity, dew point (Td), air pressure (p), air temperature (T), noise (Lp), nitrous oxide (N₂O), ammonia (NH₃), chlorine (Cl₂), radon (Rn), formaldehyde (CH₂O), hydrogen (H₂).
Integrating smart home platforms
Room air data provides your smart home with important information and acts as a trigger for a wide range of smart features, like automatic window opening, controlling air purifiers, or turning heating on and off. Among other things, the air-Q air quality monitor is compatible with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, Google Assistant, Apple Homebridge for Apple HomeKit, as well as HomeMatic, and soon Matter too.
You'll find more information as well as connectable home technologies on our separate information page about the air-Q's smart home standards.