Is Your Building's Air Safe? Why Ozone Monitoring Matters
Maintaining good indoor air quality and protecting occupants from the adverse health effects of ozone exposure requires diligent monitoring of ozone levels. You can take a proactive approach to promoting building safety and improving air quality with a customizable, whole-facility sensor-based ozone air monitor system like the Attune platform.
What Is Ozone Monitoring?
Ozone is a colorless and often odorless gas composed of three oxygen atoms. While naturally occurring ozone in the upper layer of our atmosphere is good, at ground level, ozone is a pollutant. With an ozone concentration monitor, you can detect, measure, and track the level of ozone around you.
Monitoring isn’t just for outdoor pollution; it can also be used to detect indoor pollution from common ozone-producing actions like building repairs, printing documents, and sanitizing tools. High levels of ozone indoors can have severe health impacts, and by monitoring your building’s levels, you can identify and address potential issues early.
Why Is Ozone Monitoring Critical for Indoor Spaces?
Most ozone pollution occurs outside, e.g., from car exhaust; however, ozone can also be created indoors from common appliances like printers, disinfecting equipment, and air purifiers. When a building isn't properly ventilated, the level of indoor ozone can rise quickly and linger.
Let’s say you operate a school and use printers and photocopiers everyday. Throughout the day, ozone levels increase, worsening air quality. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can irritate the respiratory system, potentially causing illness among staff and students.
By monitoring indoor ozone levels, you can take immediate action to reduce them, thereby maintaining high IAQ. When running a school, this proactive approach could decrease staff sick days and better protect students from illness.
What Is a Safe Ozone Level Indoors? Health Effects of Ozone Exposure Indoors
Safe levels vary from agency to agency. Here are some recommended maximum ozone exposure levels and IAQ parameters.
OSHA regulations0.1 ppm average over an 8-hour workdayNational Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)0.07 ppm average over an 8-hour dayNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)0.1 ppm continuously, 1 ppm over a 1-hour periodUK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 0.2 ppm over a 15-minute period
Above safe levels, according to the American Lung Association, symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath
Wheezing and coughing
Increased asthma and COPD attacks
Increased risk of respiratory infections
Increased pulmonary inflammation
Long-term effects of excess ozone exposure can result in various health problems, such as reduced fertility, nervous system issues, and even a higher risk of premature death.
The New Indoor Air Quality Trends
How Ozone Monitoring Actually Works (And Why It’s Reliable)
Ozone levels are monitored by highly sensitive sensors and indoor air quality monitors to generate real-time data on your building’s air quality. Let’s explore the three primary types of ozone monitoring devices and how they work.
Electrochemical Sensors
As ozone molecules pass through this type of sensor, an electrode triggers. The resulting current is then used to measure the level of ozone in the air. These small sensors can isolate ozone from other pollutants, producing consistent, accurate, and trackable measurements.
Metal Oxide Sensors
In this sensor, heat is applied to a metal oxide material. Ozone reacts with this heated material, changing the metal’s conductivity. The change in conductivity is measured as the level of ozone in the air. These sensors have a particularly high sensitivity and a reliably long lifespan.
Ultraviolet Absorption Sensors
An ultraviolet (UV) light passes through an air sample, and if any ozone is present, it will absorb some light. This measurable loss is used to calculate the resulting ozone levels. These high-precision sensors can often measure ozone on a parts per billion (ppb) scale.
Ozone Control for Commercial Spaces: What Facility Managers Should Know
Monitoring ozone levels is the first step in managing indoor air quality for healthy buildings. Once you know your current levels, you can make necessary adjustments. For instance, improving ventilation in high-ozone areas like printer rooms or kitchens can improve IAQ.
Other strategies you can implement include using specialized filters, installing activated carbon scrubbers, and limiting outdoor intake on high smog days. Routine maintenance is also important for detecting issues such as refrigerant leaks or broken fans.
However, the biggest concern is ozone generators. As a facility manager, you should limit the use of these devices and ventilate the area thoroughly before allowing anyone back into the space.
Real-Time vs. Manual: The Smarter Way to Monitor Ozone
While a single ozone level measurement offers some insight, it may not accurately represent your building's typical air quality. To get the full picture, real-time data is needed. An ambient ozone monitor continuously monitors ozone and other air quality factors, letting you detect issues quickly and observe real-time improvements from changes you've implemented.
Unlike periodic manual testing, continuous ozone monitoring allows you to set up automated alerts, combine IoT integration with BAS for IAQ, and identify long-term air quality patterns.
Ozone Monitoring for Compliance: What You Need to Cover Your Bases
Earlier, we covered some regulatory standards for ozone exposure. But what happens if your facility exceeds these levels?
OSHA mandates engineering and administrative controls to reduce ozone levels. If these measures are insufficient, you must provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and inform workers of potential hazards. Strict monitoring and recordkeeping are also required. Non-compliance can lead to fines, shutdowns, and even criminal charges.
By adhering to workplace IAQ monitoring best practices, you can ensure compliance with all local, national, and industry air quality standards as well as minimize your potential legal liabilities.
Choosing the Right Ozone Monitoring Solution
From maintaining overall air quality to ensuring OSHA compliance, your monitoring needs will determine which features and functions to prioritize when searching for the perfect indoor ozone monitor.
Accuracy and reliability are key. The ease of installation and use of the system is also important to consider. And if you plan on utilizing multiple sensor devices or expanding monitoring later on, IoT applications for IAQ will be key.
Achieving your air quality goals demands a tailored solution. The Attune modular system offers a customizable approach, allowing you to choose essential sensors, get started quickly with a plug-and-play setup, access live data, and maintain flexibility for future IAQ system changes and expansions. Discover more about the Attune solution and book your demo today.
