The CES 2020 show in Las Vegas is one of the largest international tech shows in the world – one in which people hail from all over the globe to reveal the very latest in consumer electronics. This year, one Singaporean startup shone in the realm of green living, with uHoo: an amazing indoor sensor that measures indoor air pollution and enables your family to stay one step ahead in terms of health and wellness. Did you know that the air indoors can be two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors, and that poor indoor air quality is linked to a host of diseases – including respiratory illness and allergy? How can uHoo help you understand common air pollution issues in your home so you can make important changes to your indoor ambience?
Vital Information From One Sensor
The sensor provides home dwellers with vital information on temperature, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and air pressure. It also gives a reading on humidity – something that is vital if you live in a humid area, which can be prone to mold growth. Mold – particularly black mold – can be detrimental to human health, causing a number of health issues including eye irritation, respiratory problems and skin irritation. If you find spores in your bathroom or on outer balconies or terraces, removing spores with specialized equipment or specific products may be necessary. The sensor can help identify mold risks (via humidity) and other problems which may be less visible.
What Causes Home Interiors To Become Toxic?
Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk, according to the United Nations, and Singapore’s air pollution levels in particular are nearly twice as bad as the WHO’s guideline levels. Unfortunately, the air outside can make its way into our homes, so ventilation can sometimes do more harm than good. The items we rely on daily can contain toxins that are invisible, owing to their tiny size. Volatile organic compounds can be emitted as gases or liquids from a wide array of items – including paint, varnish, cleaning products, skincare items and fuels. Even soft furnishing treated with flame retardants can emit compounds that are harmful to human health. The sensor can help identify the main cause of the problem, which may require further investigation if you’re not certain where the toxins are coming from.
Steps To Remedy Indoor Pollution
If your sensor gives you a red reading, just a few steps you can take include reducing your reliance on chemical cleaning products, opting for steam vacuuming instead to kill germs with little more than steam from water. Try to replace pressed wood furniture with solid wood or metal furniture, and ensure your sofa and other soft items of furniture do not contain flame retardants. Finally, invest in professional cleaning if rooms and small terraces, balconies (or in the case of larger homes, garages and other dark areas) are moldy. Some areas need a dedicated mold cleaning treatment to rid spaces of spores. Finally, invest in a quality HEPA filter. The latter is able to trap micro-particles of as little as 0.3 microns in size – which is especially good news for those with allergies to dust and pet dander.
One of the biggest problems with indoor pollution is that human beings can be impervious to it. Sensors such as uHoo can help families identify problems so they can make changes. You don’t need to replace all furniture at once, but try to see it as a long-term goal if your home contains many items of pressed wood and old soft furnishings.