Following on from my Dyson Pure Cool review, I am on a bit of a mission to improve the indoor air quality within my home.
One of the first steps to improve air quality is to identify poor air quality, I have previously reviewed the excellent Airthings Wave Plus which is the only smart consumer device on the market that can detect harmful radon.
Airthings have continued to improve their products, and from this week the affordable Airthings Mini can now include mould risk indication.
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This Airthings-made algorithm uses existing sensors and historical data to inform of the likelihood of mould growth in an indoor location. With a strong connection between mould exposure and a variety of respiratory health effects, protecting a family’s health from dangerous mould damage has never been simpler or more affordable than with Wave Mini.
Originally launched in 2019, Wave Mini has built a reputation amongst consumers and industry experts alike as a small product with the ability to make a big impact; serving as a trusted indoor air quality resource. Designed to provide first-class precision and expertise at an entry-level price tag, the new mould risk indication capability seamlessly compliments Wave Mini’s existing product functions of monitoring airborne chemicals, humidity, and temperature.
Wave Mini users will now have insight into another common indoor air pollutant that can significantly impact health and wellness allowing homeowners to make small changes to optimise air quality. Users can rest assured that their Wave Mini is providing them with the most accurate information and guidance possible. Airthings’ mould risk indication is based on the ASHRAE mould index – the leading global organisation focused on setting standards for health and safety through air quality.
“Once you see mould, it’s too late,” said Øyvind Birkenes, CEO of Airthings. “By adding mould risk indication to our Wave Mini, we’re offering people the chance to stop mould before it starts, protecting both their health and valuables. If you are looking to optimise your indoor air quality and the overall health of your home, I can’t think of a better place to begin than Wave Mini.”
The health impact of mould
Mould is a common problem in households across the United Kingdom, yet most people lack an accessible and easy way to monitor and improve it in their spaces. A recent study showed that people are 40% more likely to have asthma when living in a damp or mouldy home. Asthma affects the lives of 5.4 million people in the UK alone. While many perceive mould as a seasonal issue based on the weather patterns where they live, mould can, in fact, persist year-round. Mould can form in several ways, including when warm indoor temperatures or humid outdoor air are met with cold surfaces or cooled down, forming condensation. When combined with poor ventilation, these conditions become optimal for the most common varieties of mould to proliferate.
Exposure to mould spores can have direct adverse effects on our health, ranging from common irritations and allergic reactions to more serious issues such as asthma attacks or an increased risk of long-term lung damage. According to a study by doctors from the University of Manchester, there is a strong connection between mould exposure in infants and the development of asthma by age three. In fact, the only exposure more correlated with asthma onset is maternal smoking.
Mould not only presents a considerable health threat, it can also damage your home. The best way to protect against both the negative health and financial impact of mould is to stay proactive in assessing your indoor conditions. This can be achieved through a monitor such as Wave Mini, which can gauge the likelihood of mould’s presence before you can see it – because, after that, it may be too late.
Indoor air in the limelight
In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of indoor air quality has never been more pertinent. People everywhere are spending more time in their homes than ever before, often at the expense of seeking out fresh air that they are typically exposed to on daily commutes or lunch breaks. With the heightened awareness about how “invisible enemies” such as viruses and airborne pollutants in our air are transmitted, now is the time for people to enhance their understanding of dangerous toxins like mould and how they can be managed efficiently and effectively, through regular monitoring and maintaining healthy humidity levels between 30-60%.
Like all Airthings data, the mould risk indicator is available via the Airthings app and online dashboard where users gain a full understanding of the air quality levels in every room. The Airthings Wave family of products connects to users’ smartphones through Bluetooth or the Airthings Hub, which centralises and elevates the data from Airthings’ products by bringing them online and keeping them constantly connected. This allows users to monitor the indoor air quality anytime and anywhere, even when they are not home. It also integrates with IFTTT and Google Assistant, allowing for a fully customisable smart home experience.
Posted by Mighty Gadget Blog: UK Technology News and Reviews
