Even when you are inside a building, you may not be safe!
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can irritate the respiratory system, damage lung tissue, and increase long‑term health risks. Even indoors, you’re not fully protected from its harmful effects.
Wildfires across the globe are increasing in intensity, severity, size and duration. Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter, which are tiny particles less than 2.5 um in diameter, that can irritate the respiratory system, damage the lung tissue, and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Even when you are inside a building, you may not be safe from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
Poor outdoor air quality can affect indoor air quality if the proper measures haven't been taken to filter and ventilate the air. Therefore, it is important to monitor both particulate matter and carbon dioxide levels in commercial buildings as part of an indoor air quality maintenance plan.
Continuously monitoring carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter levels can show if the HVAC system is working properly or if added measures are needed to improve the quality of the air in the building. Early detection of unacceptable levels help ensure the ventilation and filtration system settings are adequate and the systems are functioning properly, especially during high occupancy times and wildfire season. Energy, operation and maintenance costs are kept to a minimum when the system is operating efficiently and only when needed.
Prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality can decrease one's performance and ability to concentrate, trigger existing health issues like asthma and allergies and increase the risk of developing long term respiratory and cardiovascular health issues. Fine particulate matter, off gassing from carpets and furniture, people breathing, combustion from heating sources, too high or too low relative humidity levels and high temperatures all contribute to the quality of indoor air. Poor outdoor air quality can contribute to poor indoor air quality if the building envelope is not properly weatherized, doors and windows are left open and the building's HVAC system is not sufficiently reducing the levels of particulate matter with proper ventilation and filtration. Poor air quality can go unnoticed if it is not being monitored as many of the contributing factors are not visible and have no odour.