CO2isagasandcannotbemonitoredwith typicallight-scatteringlasersensorsusedto measurePM.
Instead,CO2isbestmeasuredwithsensorsthatuse infraredlighttoestimatethenumberofCO2molecules inambientair
AmbientairpassesthroughaCO2 sensorassemblymadeupofanIRlight source,reflectivegascell,andIRlight detectors.
IRlightshinesontoCO2moleculesthat pass through the assembly. The CO2 moleculesabsorbmuchofthislight.
Theremaininglightthatisn’tabsorbed byCO2moleculespassesthroughto detectors.
IRlightdetectorscalculatethechange inIRwavelengthsfromwhatwas producedbytheIRlightsourcetowhat remainsafterCO2absorbstheIRlight.
Thechangeinwavelengthindicatesthe concentrationofCO2,whichis convertedtoappmreading
A single CO2 sensor can signal high indoor CO2 levels and fulfill basic monitoring needs for workplaces and schools.
AstudypublishedbytheACS suggeststhatindoorCO2levels maybeonetooltohelp