--- title: Introduction to Indoor Air Quality | News | Shawcity description: Learn the basics of indoor air quality and why monitoring pollutants and ventilation is essential for healthy environments. image: https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/IAQArticle-SC-Web-1.jpg --- - [Training](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/training) - [Service & Calibration](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-service-calibration-uk) - [Hire](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-hire-uk) - [Customer Support](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/customer-support) - About Us - [About Shawcity](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/about-shawcity) - [Vacancies](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/shawcity-careers) - Resources - [Events](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/events) - [News](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news) - [Contact Us](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/contact) [![Shawcity Logo](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Brand%20Logos/NEW%20colour%20logo%2c%2050%20and%20strap.png?height=70&name=NEW%20colour%20logo%2c%2050%20and%20strap.png)](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/) [Login](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/account/login) - Gas Detection - [Portable Gas Detection](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/portable-gas) - [Fixed Gas Detection](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/fixed-gas) - [Ground Gas/ Contaminated Land](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/ground-gas-contaminated-land) - [Calibration Gas](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/calibration-gas) - [Air Quality & Dust](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/air-quality-and-dust) - [Fit Testing](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/fit-testing) - [OEM Gas Sensors](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/oem-gas-sensors) - [Chromium-6](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/chromium-6-detection) - [Drug & Alcohol](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/drugs-alcohol-testing) - [Accessories](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/accessories) [![Shawcity Logo](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Brand%20Logos/NEW%20colour%20logo%2c%2050%20and%20strap.png?height=70&name=NEW%20colour%20logo%2c%2050%20and%20strap.png)](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/) ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/hamburger-icon.svg) ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/menu-close.svg) Menu - Products - [Portable Gas Detection](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/portable-gas) - [Fixed Gas Detection](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/fixed-gas-monitoring) - [Ground Gas/Contaminated Land](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/ground-gas-contaminated-land) - [Air Quality & Dust](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/air-quality-and-dust) - [Fit Testing](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/fit-testing) - [OEM Gas Sensors](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/oem-gas-sensors) - [Chromium-6](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/chromium-6-detection) - [Drugs & Alcohol](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/drugs-alcohol-testing) - [Accessories](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/accessories) - [Calibration Gas](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/calibration-gas) - [Training](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/training) - [Service & Calibration](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-service-calibration-uk) - [Hire](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-hire-uk) - [Customer Support](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/customer-support) - About Us - [About Shawcity](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/about-shawcity) - [Vacancies](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/shawcity-careers) - Resources - [Brochure](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Shawcity%20overview%20brochure%20MAR%2025%20web.pdf) - [News & Events](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news) [CONTACT US](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/contact) ##### [**News**](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/tag/news) # An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality **Shawcity**|28 February 2022 ![](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/IAQArticle-SC-Web-1.jpg) ## **Why is Air Quality Important?**   Air quality is one of the most significant health challenges of our time. Repeated exposure to air pollutants is one of the top potential causes of chronic health problems such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory infections. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2016 air pollution was linked to over 4.2 million deaths per year, accounting for 11.6% of all deaths worldwide. The quality of indoor air (IAQ) is often overlooked but it can affect people’s health as much as the more obvious outdoor ‘pollution’. An average person spends up to 22 hours a day indoors, so it is essential to ensure IAQ meets ongoing sustainable health objectives.   ## **What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?**   IAQ refers to the indoor air that circulates throughout the environment we work and live in. IAQ can be affected by: Microbial contaminants (i.e., mould and fungus) which depend on the temperature and humidity conditions of a room; gaseous pollutants (including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) etc); dust particles or aerosols.   ## **Sources of Indoor Air Pollution**   There are many sources of indoor air pollution, including common cleaning products, air fresheners, aerosols, fuel burning appliances and even carpets, paints and building materials. On their own or collectively, these pollutants can all cause adverse health effects to occupants ranging from fatigue, headaches or eye, nasal and skin irritation through to asthma, COPD and even lung cancer. Health-based ambient air quality standards are set at levels of pollutant concentrations that would result in adverse impacts on human health, so strategies, technologies and regulations are all developed with the aim of achieving a reduction in exposure.   ## **How do I Monitor Air Quality?**   Air Quality monitors use two main methods of monitoring and analysis: The Gravimetric method uses a cassette to collect a dust sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. This is an accurate method which can be used to speciate. However, there is a delay between taking the sample and receiving the analysis.  Real-time air quality monitoring uses devices with laser photometer technology to count real-time concentrations of dust in different PM sizes e.g. PM10, PM4, PM2.5 & PM1. Personal monitors are programmed to trigger visual and audible alarms to alert the user when concentrations have exceeded pre-set thresholds. In area monitoring applications, data is also often sent to and stored in the cloud, to be accessed and downloaded remotely. With cloud real-time monitoring, it is now possible to create a network across a large area to document contaminant levels. This information is often used to support a reduction strategy or to show that an air quality standard has been achieved.   ## **Custom Air Quality Calibration**   Instruments are often calibrated against a standard test material commonly known as Arizona Road Dust, which is a good approximation of most ambient aerosol particles. Calibration factors allow for more accurate measurement of specific aerosols, as calculations are based on the properties of the specific compound being sought.  For example, if the user is looking for cadmium, a custom calibration can be entered into a device, allowing for a highly accurate, very specific real-time measurement to be taken. At Shawcity’s in-house service & calibration centre, we can prepare a custom Calibration Factor for specific aerosols that have different properties to the standard test dust. [Contact our Service Team](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/service-and-calibration#form) to discuss your individual requirements.   ## **Real-time Air Quality Monitors**   Shawcity offers an extensive range of real-time air quality monitors available to hire or buy, along with free unlimited technical support. From indoor monitors that measure particulate, smoke, fumes, mist, gas and VOCs through to outdoor environmental monitoring for temperature, humidity, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 and PMTotal, we will provide the right solution. [Contact our friendly team](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/service-and-calibration#form) to discuss your requirements. For more information visit: [https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/air-quality-and-dust](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/air-quality-and-dust) ##### Share [Previous post](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/voc-detection-university-nottingham) [Next post](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/uk-brownfield-development) ## **Latest posts** ##### [![](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Hydrogen%20Sulphide%20Gas%20Cloud%20Over%20Industrial%20Zone.png) Guides & Insights **Why Smell Cannot Reliably Warn You of H₂S** 25 August 2026](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/why-smell-cannot-reliably-warn-of-h2s) ##### [![](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/plant-milk-day.png) Blogs **How Is Plant Milk Made? Pasteurisation & Workplace Safety** 21 August 2026](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/plant-milk-production-pasteurisation-safety) ##### [![](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/bakery-heat-stress.png) Guides & Insights **Bakery Heat Stress: Summer Monitoring & Controls** 18 August 2026](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news/bakery-heat-stress-summer-production) [Back to blog](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news) ![Newsletter icon](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Icons/newsletter-icon.svg) ### **Sign up to our newsletter** ### **Sign up to our newsletter** ![Newsletter icon](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Icons/newsletter-icon.svg) ![Shawcity logo](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Brand%20Logos/NEW%20colour%20logo%2c%2050%20and%20strap.png) ##### Products - [Accessories](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/accessories) - [Air Quality Monitoring](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/search?q=air%20quality) - [Calibration Gas](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/search?q=calibration%20gas) - [View All Products ⇀](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/products) ##### Industries - [Agriculture & Biogas](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/agriculture-biogas-gas-detection) - [Construction](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/construction-gas-monitoring) - [Environmental Projects](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/environmental-gas-monitoring) - [View All Industries ⇀](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/industries) ##### Services - [Training](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/training) - [Service & Calibration](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-service-calibration-uk) - [Hire](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-hire-uk) - [Customer Support](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/customer-support) ##### About - [About Shawcity](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/about-shawcity) - [Vacancies](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/shawcity-careers) - [News](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news) - [Events](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/events) ##### Customer Support - [![Telephone icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/phone-icon.svg) 01367 899553](tel:01367%20899553) - [![Email icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/email-icon@1x.svg) info@shawcity.co.uk](mailto:info@shawcity.co.uk) ##### Get in Touch - [Contact Us](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/contact) - ![Map pin icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/geo-pin-icon.svg) [Shawcity Limited 91-92 Shrivenham Hundred Business Park, Oxfordshire SN6 8TY](https://goo.gl/maps/CWtffn8UgPAM4Xym9) - Products - [Portable Gas](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/portable-gas) - [Fixed Gas Monitoring](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/fixed-gas) - [Ground Gas/Contaminated Land](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/ground-gas-contaminated-land) - [Sound Noise & Vibration](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/sound-noise-and-vibration) - [Air Quality & Dust](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/air-quality-and-dust) - [Fit Testing](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/fit-testing) - [Heat Stress](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/heat-stress) - [Accessories](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/accessories) - [OEM Gas Sensors](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/oem-gas-sensors) - [Calibration Gas](https://products.shawcity.co.uk/collections/calibration-gas) - Services - [Training](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/training) - [Service & Calibration](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-service-calibration-uk) - [Hire](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/gas-detector-hire-uk) - [Customer Support](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/customer-support) - About Us - [About Shawcity](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/about-shawcity) - [Vacancies](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/shawcity-careers) - Resources - [E-catalogue](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/ShawcityE-catalogueWeb21.pdf) - [News & Events](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/news) - Customer Support - [![Telephone icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/phone-icon.svg) 01367 899553](tel:01367%20899553) - [![Email icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/email-icon@1x.svg) info@shawcity.co.uk](mailto:info@shawcity.co.uk) - Get in Touch - [Contact Us](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/contact) - ![Map pin icon](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/2901/3401/t/2/assets/geo-pin-icon.svg) [Shawcity Limited 91-92 Shrivenham Hundred Business Park, Oxfordshire SN6 8TY](https://goo.gl/maps/CWtffn8UgPAM4Xym9) ![Pass Certified PAT Tester](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Logos/pass-certified-PAT-tester@2x.png?width=89&height=60&name=pass-certified-PAT-tester@2x.png) ![Alcumus Safe Contractor](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Logos/alcumus-safe-contractor@2x.png?width=411&height=73&name=alcumus-safe-contractor@2x.png) ![ISRP Logo Small Websize](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ISRP%20Logo%20Small%20Websize.jpg?width=106&height=50&name=ISRP%20Logo%20Small%20Websize.jpg) ![BOHS 70 YearWEB](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BOHS%2070%20YearWEB.png?width=100&height=73&name=BOHS%2070%20YearWEB.png) ![British Safety Council Member](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Logos/british-safety-council-logo@2x.png?width=117&height=50&name=british-safety-council-logo@2x.png) ![Achilles Procurement](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/AchillesLogoWebsiteSize.png?width=73&height=73&name=AchillesLogoWebsiteSize.png) ![ISO credentials 25](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ISO%20credentials%2025.png?width=600&height=296&name=ISO%20credentials%2025.png) © Shawcity 2021 [Privacy & Cookie Policy](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/privacy-cookies)  |  [Sales Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/terms-conditions-sales)  |  [Hire Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hires)  |  [Service Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-of-service-calibration)  |  [Carbon Reduction Plan](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/QP43%20Carbon%20Reduction%20Plan.pdf) | [Modern Slavery Statement](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Modern%20Slavery%20Statement.pdf) Company registered in England No. 1273269   |   VAT number: GB 200868972   |   ISO 9001-2015 certified. © Shawcity 2021 [Privacy & Cookie Policy](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/privacy-cookies)  |  [Sales Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/terms-conditions-sales)  |  [Hire Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hires)  |  [Service Terms & Conditions](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-of-service-calibration)  |  [Carbon Reduction Plan](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/QP43%20Carbon%20Reduction%20Plan.pdf) | [Modern Slavery Statement](https://www.shawcity.co.uk/hubfs/Modern%20Slavery%20Statement.pdf) Company registered in England No. 1273269   |   VAT number: GB 200868972   |   ISO 9001-2015 certified.