Review: AIR-1 Air Quality For Home Assistant

Breathe Easy and Tinker Freely: A Review of the AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor for Home Assistant

For the privacy-conscious and perfectionist homeowners who crave customization, the AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor by Apollo Automation is a breath of fresh air (literally). This sensor goes beyond simply monitoring air quality; it empowers you to take control of your indoor environment.

A little background about Home Assistant: Home Assistant is an open-source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of DIY enthusiasts. Think of it as Apple’s HomeKit with the ability for endless customizations.

Specifications

• Particulate Sensor
• CO2 Photoacoustic NDIR Sensor (Optional)
• Gas Sensor MOS Package (CO, NO2, C2H5OH, H2, NH3, and CH4) (Optional)
• TVOC Sensor
• Temperature and Humidity Sensor
• Barometric Pressure
• 3 RGB LEDs
• USB-C
• WiFi 2.4 GHz
• Bluetooth 5

All the specifications and sensor manufactures are listed here.

Built for the DIY Enthusiast

Unlike many smart home devices, the AIR-1 doesn’t lock you into a proprietary ecosystem. It leverages the open-source power of Home Assistant, giving you complete control over your data and how it’s used. This is perfect for those who want to tinker and integrate the AIR-1 into their existing smart home setup.

Unmatched Data Granularity

The AIR-1 isn’t shy when it comes to data. It tracks a wider range of air quality metrics than most sensors, including CO2, CO, VOCs, and multiple PM sizes. This detailed information allows you to pinpoint exactly what might be affecting your indoor air quality and take appropriate action. Keep in mind, that low-cost gas sensors have limitations as they are prone to cross-sensitivity.

Expandability at Your Fingertips

The modular design of the AIR-1 is a game-changer. You can build the device based on your needs with different sensor modules. This is a great way to keep costs down initially and tailor the system to your specific concerns.

Privacy First Design

With the AIR-1, your data stays local. There are no subscriptions or cloud dependencies. This means you can trust that your air quality information remains private and secure within your own home network. Users can download their data for further analysis with RStudio, MS Excel, etc.

Aesthetics Meet Functionality

The compact and sleek design of the AIR-1 ensures it blends seamlessly into any home environment. It’s small enough to be discreet but still provides clear and easy-to-understand color notification on its built-in LEDs array. By taking advantage of the Home Assistant you can control the LEDs not only based on sensor threshold but from other devices in your network. E.g. You can set the LED to blink RED color when CO2 or PM values are above the recommended, but you can also turn on the RGB LEDs when it is night and you want to illuminate the room or when any other sensor is triggered in your house.

My Thoughts

I like the design choices, especially the mesh that allows air from all angles to interact with the sensors. They don’t hide what is inside and air quality sensors need as much ambient air as possible to work properly.

This product is not for everyone though as it requires a Home Assistant server that can run on a cheap Raspberry Pi, on your computer, or a plug-and-play Home Assistant device. It is an additional cost if you don’t have one, but it is worth the investment if home automation is important to you.

I didn’t do any sensor comparison tests because I have already evaluated these sensors. They are suitable for this application.

The people behind the product know very well how IoT systems work and what is needed for a useful product, in this case, an indoor air quality monitor that doesn’t compromise. 

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a powerful, customizable, and privacy-focused air quality sensor for your Home Assistant setup, then the AIR-1 is an excellent choice. Its detailed data, modular design, and open-source integration make it a perfect fit for the DIY-savvy homeowner who prioritizes both clean air and control. AIR-1 is the definition of a modern IoT.

Beyond the Pleasant Smell: The Hidden Dangers of Air Fresheners in Your Home

We all like our homes to smell fresh (not possible) and inviting. But that seemingly harmless air freshener, scented candle, or electric perfume dispenser might be doing more harm than good. In fact they do and you will understand in detail below. These common household items can release a surprising number of chemicals that negatively impact indoor air quality and potentially our health.

The Culprit: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

All air fresheners, regardless of form (spray, plug-in, candle), rely on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to create their signature scents. VOCs are chemicals that easily become gases at room temperature. While some VOCs occur naturally, those found in air fresheners are often synthetic and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

Taking a Deep Breath: Air Quality Awareness Week 2024

This May 6th through 10th, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) [1]. This annual event is a timely reminder about the importance of clean air and the things we can all do to protect it.

This year’s AQAW coincides with World Asthma Day on May 7th, making it an especially relevant opportunity to learn more about how air quality impacts our health.

Why Clean Air Matters

Clean air is essential for our health and well-being. According to the EPA, air pollution can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory illness, heart disease, and even cancer [1].

Hacking the Herd: How Social Norms Can Inspire You (and Everyone Else) to Change

Social norms are like unwritten rules that a group of people follow. They’re the guidelines for how we behave in certain situations, and they help keep things running smoothly. Social norms are still a powerful tool for inspiring behavior change for a few reasons:

• Leveraging the Desire to Belong: People are social creatures with a natural desire to fit in with their groups. Social norms highlight what behaviors are expected and accepted, nudging people to conform to avoid social disapproval.
• Focus on Prevalence: Social norms campaigns can emphasize that the desired behavior is actually more common than people think. This can counteract the feeling of being alone in adopting a new behavior.
• Positive Reinforcement: Seeing others engage in the positive behavior can provide encouragement and a sense of community around the change.

Here’s how social norms can be applied to air pollution:

• Highlighting Eco-Friendly Choices: Campaigns can showcase people using public transport, carpooling, or opting for sustainable products. This reframes these actions as the norm, making them more likely to be adopted by others.
• Community Recognition: Programs that recognize individuals or businesses for their efforts to reduce air pollution can create positive social pressure and inspire others to follow suit.
• Countering Misconceptions: Social norms campaigns can address the misconception that individual actions don’t make a difference. By highlighting the collective impact of many small changes, they can motivate people to take action.

For example, a campaign might feature a slogan like “Most people in our community use heat pumps – Join the Movement for Cleaner Air!” This approach uses social norms (descriptive norm – what people actually do) to encourage alternative heating to wood burning stoves (desired behavior).

By framing eco-friendly behaviors as the social norm, communities can create a more sustainable environment and improve air quality for everyone.

New Silica Dust Limits Aim to Better Protect Miners’ Health

On April 18th, 2024, the US Department of Labor has issued a final rule that reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for crystalline silica in mines. Silica dust is a known health hazard that can cause silicosis, a debilitating lung disease. The new rule is intended to better protect miners from irreversible workplace illnesses, it will take effect on June 17th, 2024.

Health Risks of Silica Dust

Silica dust is a component of sand, rock, and quartz. When miners inhale silica dust, it can scar the lungs, leading to silicosis, which reduces their ability to take in oxygen. Silicosis can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. In severe cases, it can be fatal.

New Exposure Limits

The final rule reduces the PEL for silica dust to to 50 μg/m³ of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average. This is a significant reduction that will help to reduce miners’ risk of developing silicosis. The action level, or the amount warranting remedial action, is 25 μg/m³ of air. 

MasterClass: Air Quality Data Visualization with R Studio & Packages

R Studio and its packages are used by hundreds of thousands of people to make millions of plots. I use it to compare air sensor data from different air quality monitors/sensors or to visualize air pollution levels.

In this article we will explore both how we can visualize air quality data from publicly available sources and how you can create statistical correlations between different pollutants or different sensors to find the correlation coefficient or correlation of determination.

First: Get the Right Packages

Packages are collections of functions, data, and compiled code in a well-defined format, created to add specific functionality. Here are some of the packages that we will install inside RStudio and use.

#You can either get ggplot2 by installing the whole tidyverse library
install.packages(tidyverse)

#Alternatively, install just ggplot2
install.packages(ggplot2)

#saqgetr is a package to import European air quality monitoring data in a fast and easy way
install.packages(saqgetr)

#worldmet provides an easy way to access data from the NOAA Integrated Surface Database
install.packages(worldmet)

#Date-time data can be frustrating to work with in R and lubridate can help us fix possible issues
install.packages(lubridate)

#Openair is a package developed for the purpose of analysing air quality data
linstall.packages(openair)

From Boom to Bust: The Great IoT Air Quality Recession

The once booming Internet of Things (IoT) air quality monitoring market is facing a harsh reality check. Fueled by a surge in AI startups attracting investments and a subsequent saturation of low-cost air quality monitors, the industry is experiencing a period of upheaval. This downturn, dubbed “The Great IoT Air Quality Recession,” is forcing companies to adapt or face extinction. I see many high-profile executives leaving previously thought innovative startups in the realm of air quality in search of a more “stable” future.

A Wave of Investment and Sensor Saturation

AI startups like ChatGTP and similar, promising to leverage the power of machine learning to generate content or analyze data, became investor darlings. This new influx of cash is fueling the decline of IoT low-cost air quality solutions.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the market quickly became saturated with low-cost monitors that promised that will fix indoor and outdoor environments. Buildings were filled with cheap monitors, but actionable insights remained scarce. The promised AI-powered analysis, in many cases, failed to materialize. Consumers were left with a plethora of data points with no clear understanding of what it all meant or what to do.

Dust Devils of Doom: Sand Storm & Haboob and Their Invisible Assault on Human Health

Recently, I met Dr. Karin Ardon-Dryer and she is my new favorite scientist/superstar because of her research and her charismatic way to share important information to the public. She was able to captivate everyone in the room with her presentation Effect of Dust Particles on Human Health at Miami University.

Sand storms, often romanticized in movies and documentaries, pose a far more significant threat than just a dramatic backdrop. These swirling giants of dust wreak havoc on air quality, carrying not just coarse sand but also microscopic fine particles with serious implications for human health. While sand storms are often associated with arid regions far from home, their reach extends farther than you might think, impacting even areas within the United States. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and even eastern California are some of the states that experience poor air quality from such meteorological phenomena.

Haboob vs Sandstorm vs Dust Storms 

• Haboob (Arabic for blasting/drifting) is a strong wind carrying a mass of dust and sand that has been lifted from the ground in very dry areas such as deserts.
• Sandstorm is a windstorm especially in a desert, that blows along great clouds of sand.
• Dust storms carry much smaller particles, which can be carried higher and further than sandstorms. 

Review: AIRVALENT – The smallest CO2 Monitor

Since I caught COVID last month (for the first time after 4 years), I’ve become increasingly concerned about the air quality in the places that I visit or stay for a long period of time like an airplane. So, I decided to try out the AIRVALENT CO2 air quality monitor to see if it could help me identify badly ventilated indoor environments.

Why the AIRVALENT?

• Smallest CO2 monitor available: If size is a major concern, the AirValent could be a good option as it can easily fit in your pocket while traveling.
• Aesthetically pleasing design: The AirValent appears to have a sleek and modern design that can be customizable during the purchase process. Various colors and patterns to choose from.
• Tracks CO2, humidity, and temperature: This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of your indoor environmental quality.
• Bluetooth connectivity: Allows for data monitoring and analysis through a smartphone app.

Technical Characteristics of AIRVALENT

Air Quality Report from 5 Major European Cities

European cities are showing significant progress in combating air pollution, according to data collected from active official traffic air quality stations. There are positive trends which translate to cleaner air for residents, with reductions in harmful pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2. This article explores the known strategies that these cities have implemented to achieve such remarkable improvements, offering valuable insights for other urban centers striving for a healthier future.

These are the 5 cities and traffic air quality stations that I have analyzed data from.

• Berlin DEBE068 (B Mitte, Brückenstraße)
• Madrid ES0118A (Escuela Aguirre)
• Rome IT1906A (Arenula)
• Paris FR04012 (Place Victor Basch)
• Athens GR0003A (Aristotelous)

European Air Quality Network – Active and Inactive Air Quality Stations