Thread: Air Quality Monitor

I never trust air that hasn't got sawdust in it, a monitor could confirm there is enough in it.

These monitors are like geiger counters. They identify if there is something there but you have no idea what it is and making decisions based on what they say is a bit hit and miss.

Ordinary air has around 10^4 to 10^7 particle of dust in it per cubic metre. One day you could be measuring the high end of the range and the next day the low end without even generating any wood dust. To use these monitors correctly the environment in which they are used needs to be able to be scrubbed cleaned of all other dust which is unlikely in a shed.

The other issue is that they only have two particle size ranges
0.5 - 2.5 microns (that is useful)
Everything above 2.5 microns (not all that useful)

There is a big difference between the physiological effect of 3 and 30 micron size particles so being able to discriminate between these would be very useful.

Are they better than nothing, yes as long one knows their limitations.

Looking around on other forums and reading posts about people getting scared using these made me laugh.
eg

The meter scared me last night. After my girlfriend made supper it went from ~200 particles to 2100 and stayed till about midnight. I thought it was broken. This morning it was a 200 again. What's up with that. No one burned anything.

This can be the result of
- a natural variation
- someone taking a shower
- making a cup of coffee
- vacuuming the floor
- wind blowing some traffic fumes your way
etc

The number of people using these and making dumb #### decisions based on the readings they obtain is depressing.

lol Bob if i git one it would be around 2100 all the time with the amount of coffee I drink.

But not a bad idea makes me think of those doomsday prep people though lol.