Sentinel C19 Air Monitor Personal

Measuring CO2 and virus risk at a personal level to alert employees of the need for additional ventilation, the robust C19 Personal Air Monitor is a front line of defence for the hidden build-up of air conditions for Covid spread. At less than 10cm tall and only 5.5cm wide, the unit is unobtrusive and can be warm on a belt clip or placed beside the user. A red LED flashing display alters the user to poor air quality and the build-up of moist virus transmitting conditions and will continue to alert until CO2 levels (used as a scientific proxy for high levels of moisture and thus conditions for Covid-19 transmission)

The Sentinel personal is well suited to those who may be lone workers in locations with changing humidity conditions especially bus, coach, tube, tram and taxi drivers .

Air movement and quality is considered vital by the WHO to help significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19. CO2 monitoring is an easy way to monitor the density of exhaled water vapour in the air, as it acts as a high quality proxy. As exhaled water vapour density rises, the risk of spread even in socially distanced classrooms, workplaces or entertainment spaces, rises. Through monitoring the optimum flow of air can be achieved, allowing staff and guests to be safe as well as balance the need for warm or heated air with that of fresh air. The same need can also occur in chilled factory settings, where fresh air may need to be cooled on entry but is vital to reduce spread.

With an accurate and easy to read display, monitoring is easy, simple and recorded. Recharged via micro USB lead and with event logging the Sentinel C19 personal air monitor forms an active part of the fight against transmission for lone workers

How can Carbon Dioxide (CO2) help measure potential virus transfer conditions.?

All EMCO Sentinel devices are measuring CO2 in the air at ppm levels. Carbon Dioxide or CO2 is naturally exhaled by people as they breathe and increased CO2 concentration is a useful proxy for exhaled water vapour. The greater the exhaled CO2 concentration, the great the exhaled water vapour concentration and this is where the transmission risk of SARS Covid 19, increases.

Water vapour traps the virus (when breathed out by others) and is suspended in the air, this is not an issue outside, but when the air is trapped inside and has nowhere to go (due to lack of air movement and or poor ventilation) the density of water vapour invisibly builds and increases the risk of cross spread infection. Water vapour can therefore be measured (indicatively) by the level of CO2 in the air and the risk factor assessed by our CO2 measurement equipment.

The German Environment Ministry* has published guidance that concentrations of CO2 over 1000ppm in schools, offices and enclosed spaces is a sign of increased risk of transmission and the need for through flow of fresh air.

EMCO Sentinel equipment can be set to alert at 1000ppm or even below if preferred, so that there is time for air flow to take effect. The device indicates the level of CO2 in the air constantly, so that varied air flow & ventilation solutions can be evaluated. A digital readout linked to an audible arm or visual arm then provide an objective and repeatable level to building and venue owners, who can then ensure sufficient ventilation to protect their employees and customers

References

German Environment Ministry

*https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/2546/dokumente/irk_stellungnahme_lueften_sars-cov-2_0.pdf

Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health

https://schools.forhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/06/Harvard-Healthy-Buildings-Program-Schools-For-Health-Reopening-Covid19-June2020.pdf

Peng & Jimenez University of Colorado

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.09.09.20191676v1.full.pdf

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