Indoor air quality: measure, understand and act

We spend most of our time indoors: offices, schools, laboratories, shops. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air, because pollutants build up when ventilation is insufficient. Measuring it continuously protects occupants’ health and comfort, and helps ventilate at the right time.

Which parameters should you monitor?

• CO2: an indicator of air confinement, it shows whether a room is ventilated enough for the number of occupants.
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds): emitted by cleaning products, furniture, paints or certain activities.
• Fine particles (PM1, PM2.5, PM10): from outdoor air, activities and equipment.
• Odors: often linked to restrooms, drainage networks or activities.
• Noise, temperature and humidity, which affect comfort and concentration.

Continuous, room-by-room measurement

A one-off sample only shows a moment in time. A sensor installed in each room, such as the POD2, continuously measures CO2, VOCs, particles, gases, odors and noise. Data is sent to EllonaSoft, which displays dashboards per room and sends alerts when values drift.

Identifying the sources

Comparing measurements over time and between rooms helps trace the causes: an overcrowded room, failing ventilation, a cleaning product, a poorly ventilated restroom. Our FAQs detail the method for indoor gases, fine particles, odors and noise.

Schools and public buildings

Schools and buildings open to the public are increasingly required to monitor indoor air quality and assess ventilation. Continuous CO2 measurement helps ventilate at the right time and track progress. See our article on improving air quality in schools and our page on public buildings.

Understanding the stakes

To learn more about health impacts, read the dangers of poor indoor air quality. In France, funding is available for air quality projects: see funding air quality projects with ADEME.

Deployment examples

• A school in northern France: air quality, comfort and cleanliness of classrooms and restrooms.
• Public buildings in Taiwan: air quality and indoor environment.
• JCDecaux public toilets: air quality and cleanliness to optimise maintenance.
• Hanyang University: air monitoring in chemistry laboratories.
• Paris-CDG Terminal 2E: air quality and hygiene in an airport terminal.

Setting up indoor air monitoring

We define with you the rooms to equip, the parameters to track and the alert thresholds. Tell us about your buildings to receive a proposal.