Happy earth day

Bringing air quality into focus: ION Science MiniPID sensors supporting Earth Day 2022

As Earth Day 2022 arrives on the 22nd April, the message for the world this year is to ‘invest in our planet’. Earth Day encourages people to reflect and think about ‘what will you do?’, contributing to their ‘All In’ approach in creating a partnership for the planet. The Earth Day remit is: Act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. Looking after the planet’s health and ensuring its preservation for the future is something ION Science takes very seriously – and this commitment is reflected in its range of air quality monitoring sensors on offer.

Monitoring air quality is essential for the health of people and the environment. In a 2014 UN report, it was revealed that approximately one in eight of all global deaths could connect air pollution exposure as a contributing factor. This finding more than doubled previous estimates and confirmed that air pollution was the world’s largest single environmental health risk. Monitoring air quality for the presence of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) has the potential to improve human and environmental health.

The potential risks from VOC exposure, in the short and long term, can be devastating. Effects on human health in the long term can include: breathing difficulties (such as bronchitis, asthma, COPD), fertility issues, cancers, organ damage (notably the kidneys and liver), and central nervous system damage. Even short-term exposure can result in headaches, throat and airway irritation, nausea, dizziness, and skin problems. Protecting the air that we breathe promotes better health and wellbeing for everyone, and the planet.

Good indoor air quality is as essential as outdoor, due to the increased time spent indoors and the limited ventilation available. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is well documented as having poor air quality as one of the key factors affecting health. Using PID (photoionisation detection) sensors in conjunction with efficient HVAC systems is one of the most effective ways of monitoring and improving indoor air quality for health and wellbeing.

ION Science’s MiniPID sensor range is world-leading when it comes to PID technology. With its advanced VOC detection, they can be used as an early warning system in the event of rising VOC levels or exposure rates. For Health and Safety Officers, Occupational Hygienists, and government-responsible bodies (such as The Environment Agency), this kind of technological development means it’s possible to monitor accurately and implement measures early – both of which are essential in the protection of health and environmental standards.

The MiniPID sensor range is the market leader in quality and standards for all VOC sensors. Able to withstand relative humidity up to 99% (non-condensing), temperatures of -40 to +65 °C, and with an anti-contamination design, the MiniPID sensor range offers 10,000 hours of reliable detection, ideal for long-term monitoring.

There are three sensors from the range that are most suitable for air quality monitoring:

  • MiniPID 2 PPB Sensor – is optimised to low-end ppb sensitivity while offering a wide dynamic range and is perfect for measuring indoor and outdoor air quality over a wide range of environments
  • MiniPID 2 HS Sensor – is the most sensitive VOC sensor on the market allowing sub ppb measurement.
  • MiniPID 2 10.0 eV Sensor – allows more selective measurement of highly toxic VOCs such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

As awareness of the impact human activity has on the planet and environment continues to grow, finding ways to protect and restore nature, as well as improve living conditions and standards, is taking centre stage in many industries. This Earth Day, ION Science reaffirm their commitment to protecting lives and preserving the environment, and continue to offer pioneering gas sensing technology for the improvement and monitoring of air quality.

To find out more about Earth Day, please visit: https://www.earthday.org/

For press enquiries please contact: Hannah Albone hannah.albone@cogent.co.uk or 07483047567, alternatively contact David Leatham David.leatham@cogent.co.uk or 07483 071 833.