There are many reasons for testing air quality. These reasons can vary from environmental applications such as stack testing where emissions from factories are tested so that they remain in compliance with laws and the desire to be environmentally friendly, to a simple home smoke detector. Certainly one is not more important than the other, since both save lives and also increase the quality of life, but these applications vary a great deal in cost and in design. This article will speak specifically to an air testing device that should be common in each household: the carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide is a gas emitted by fuels that do not fully burn away. The gas cannot be detected by any of the human senses, which makes it a significant danger, especially while the members of the household are sleeping. The gas poisons the red blood cells, entering in and replacing oxygen, causing permanent damage and death. Even small amounts can build up in the tissues over time and cause major damage.
Thankfully, there is equipment designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the air. This small device looks a lot like a smoke detector and functions using simple technology. Its main components are a detection chamber, a silicon microchip, a light emitting diode, a test-reset button, and a siren.
One form of carbon monoxide detector works by sampling the air continuously in the detection chamber. A biomimetic sensor acts very much like the red blood cells in your body, absorbing the oxygen from the air. If carbon monoxide is found in the air then the biomimetic sensor, which is a gel, changes color upon absorption of the gas. This, in itself, does nothing, but a separate sensor detects the change in the color of the gel and sends a signal which initiates the siren. The gel will revert to its original state if left in an oxygen-rich environment so that the detector can be used again.
Other forms of carbon monoxide detectors work by using a slightly different detection system. These detectors use metal oxide semiconductors or electrochemical sensors to detect and send a signal to sound the alarm. Electrochemical instant detection and response systems are used when an instant response is absolutely essential, such as in an industrial setting.
These devices have saved countless lives and continue to do so every day. The elderly and children are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning, and homes where these age groups reside should be aware of the need for adequate protection.
As technology improves, the devices that monitor our air, whether testing in our homes or stack testing in industrial environments, will become even more effective in both saving and prolonging life.