According to WHO, “9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits containing high levels of pollutants.” This air pollution can lead to health problems such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and even cancer. These negative health effects contribute to 7 million premature deaths each year across the world.
As we spend the vast majority of our time inside, the importance of IAQ is becoming increasingly important as there can be 5x more pollution indoors than outdoors. Monitoring indoor air quality is especially important for building owners and managers as their buildings can suffer from sick building syndrome, which can significantly affect occupant health and employee productivity. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that up to 30% of new or remodeled commercial buildings receive high complaints about comfortability issues that could be linked back to indoor air quality.
It’s important to be aware of what type of pollutants are in our air, their concentration, when the levels of pollutants are unsafe, and the technology available to remove them. Below are 3 IAQ PropTech startups around the world that are helping us move towards cleaner air and healthier lives:
1. Airthinx
Airthinx is a multi-award-winning company founded in 2017. They offer an air quality monitoring & management solution that combines the Internet of Things with AI technology to provide cleaner air. Their solutions are helping those with asthma and allergies as well as accelerating the safe transition back into the office from COVID-19.
What is unique about Airthinx is they offer outdoor and mobile monitoring systems. You can always remain in a safer environment wherever you are by receiving alerts of potential threats in your air. Their AI technology can make predictions of environmental risks prior to them occurring, which enforces an even safer space. Their product line provides solutions such as monitoring, reporting, and remediating of your air quality.
2. Spaceti
Spaceti is a PropTech startup headquartered in Holland who utilizes an innovative enterprise software in conjunction with IoT systems for space management in the commercial real estate industry. Their IoT sensors and data monitor space, occupancy, as well as indoor air quality.
Their environmental sensors can track any room’s temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels with their 24/7 real-time map tracking. This data enables individuals to be more comfortable, more productive, and reduce the spread of airborne viruses. You can even filter down to see data on individual workstations, export charts and reports, and receive text, emails, and Microsoft Teams alerts when the air quality becomes unsafe.
3. Haven IAQ
Based in Vancouver, Haven IAQ is founded on the goal to increase the publicly available data regarding air pollution and other environmental factors. Their product is installed directly into your HVAC system and uses laser- based particle technology to understand the air quality of your entire home and measures the air without any moving parts. What makes Haven’s product, the Central Air Monitor, also known as CAM, so interesting is that it is an in-duct indoor air quality monitor placed inside the return air duct next to the air handler. By this design, the product is anticipated to last 10 years or more.
An HVAC technician will install the Central Air Monitor and you can view your air quality data on the Haven Pro Portal. This data is then shared with your technician to identify ways to improve your air quality.
