They create a sensor that alerts about the spread of COVID and the need to ventilate

 

The prototype was made by researchers from Tucumán and warns about indoor air quality.

In the framework of the second wave of COVID-19, one of the main recommendations is to avoid crowds in closed spaces without ventilation, since these conditions have been proven to generate a greater spread of the virus.

Considering this scenario -which can be further aggravated with the arrival of winter and the decrease in outdoor recreation-, researchers from the Disruptive Technology Center of the San Pablo-T University, in Tucumán, developed a sensor prototype that measures the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration in real time in closed places to alert about the need for ventilation and thus prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to its creators, this sensor could be installed in classrooms, bars, offices, among many other closed spaces that are frequented today. It will function as a traffic light that with light indications will inform about the air quality of the environment in real time. For example, in a normal situation a green light will be displayed indicating that the environment is safe. But if the space begins to require ventilation it will be shown in yellow, while if the place requires immediate evacuation it will turn red.

For researchers from Tucumán, the CO2 concentration value is the main parameter to measure indoor air quality, which is why it is a good indicator of the overcrowding / ventilation relationship. At the concentrations usually found both in the outdoor environment (approximately 400 ppm) and in the indoor environment (from 600 ppm to values ​​above 2000 ppm), it is considered an indicator of air quality, since the main source of Indoor emissions are by people themselves, as long as no combustion appliances are installed.

In this regard, Augusto Parra, Director of the Disruptive Technology Center (CTD), explained that this development could change the way in which we prevent COVID-19, providing greater security to people who are exposed daily to closed places.

"We are proud of our sensor and we hope that it will generate interest in being developed and distributed, it can definitely change the way we inhabit spaces and provide businesses and closed spaces with a greater security environment for their employees and visitors," said the specialist. .