How Small Changes to your Daily Routine Could Make a Big Difference to your Exposure to Air Pollution

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

We often think of air pollution as something that happens “out there”, smoggy skylines and exhaust fumes. However, for many of us, the most polluted air we breathe is actually inside our own homes. The good news? You don’t need a massive renovation to fix it. A few strategic changes to your daily habits can drastically reduce your exposure to harmful particulates and chemicals.

1. Master the Kitchen: Your Primary Pollution Zone

Cooking is frequently the #1 source of high particulate matter (PM2.5) indoors. Frying, searing, and even boiling on gas stoves release combustion byproducts and grease particles into your breathing zone.

  • The Fix: Always use your range hood on its highest effective setting. If your hood doesn’t vent outside (recirculating), open a nearby window to create cross-ventilation.
  • The Tip: Start the fan before you turn on the heat and leave it running for five minutes after you finish.
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AirSpot Review: The Wearable CO2 Monitor That Delivers Real-Time Clarity

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

The world of air quality monitoring has long been dominated by bulky, desk-bound units. The AirSpot, a revolutionary small CO2 monitor, shatters that paradigm. Given to me by the CEO of The Safer Air Project, this device is not just a monitor—it’s a truly wearable environmental sensor that brings crucial air quality data right to your wrist or backpack.

Design, Portability, and Hardware

The AirSpot’s most immediate selling point is its diminutive size and featherlight weight. Measuring a mere 3.6cm x 4.8cm x 1.15cm and weighing only 17g (0.6 ounces), it is, to my recollection, the smallest CO2 monitor currently available. This size isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the foundation of its usability.

The device’s true genius lies in its ecosystem of accessories. AirSpot is unique in offering a wide range of mounting options, including a wristband that makes it genuinely wearable. I personally prefer the carabiner-style key ring case, which allowed me to easily clip it onto my backpack or belt—perfect for on-the-go monitoring.

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Beyond the Gamification: Why 2026 Demands Empathetic AI for Air Quality

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

In previous articles, I advocated for a “Tamagotchi-like” approach to air quality awareness, a gamified solution designed to capture the public’s attention. At the time, the goal was simple: engagement. If we could make checking air quality as addictive as feeding a digital pet, we could encourage better habits.

But the world of 2026 is different. Attention is no longer enough; we need connection. While gamification served its purpose, it is time to evolve. We must transition from simple reward systems to AI systems embedded with empathy-based sensor technology.

We need devices that don’t just beep when the air is bad, but devices that feel the environment with us.

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Year in Review 2025 🔁 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a moment for reflection and gratitude here at www.seetheair.org. This year, our journey to champion better air quality, both indoors and outdoors, has reached new and exciting heights.

While I published slightly fewer articles than in the previous year, the commitment of our readership remained incredibly strong. I’m thrilled to report that our total visits for the year held nearly steady, hitting an impressive 209,000 visits! It’s a powerful testament to the value of dedicated content and your unwavering interest in the air we breathe.

A Historic Shift in Global Reach

The most striking development of 2025 was a monumental shift in our global audience. For the first time ever, in the last three months of the year, visits from China have absolutely skyrocketed, replacing the USA as the number one country to visit the blog.

This surge appears to be a very organic and powerful movement. We see constant, daily visits, but no specific referring site to credit. A huge welcome to all our new readers in China—your engagement is truly inspiring!

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Why Lung Cancer Is on the Rise in Non-Smokers

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

Still a mystery, but here is what we have found so far. While the overall rate of lung cancer has been declining, a notable trend has emerged: lung cancer in people who have never smoked is increasing. This poses a challenge to the traditional understanding of the disease, which is heavily associated with tobacco use. Research suggests that for some, lung cancer in non-smokers is a distinct disease from that in smokers, driven by different factors and presenting in a different form.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

A major contributing factor to lung cancer in non-smokers is exposure to environmental carcinogens.

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Review: AirGradient Open Air

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Having had the opportunity to get the AirGradient Open Air (Model O-1PST) at the ASIC 2025 conference in Thailand, complete with its unique engraving, I’ve spent some time with this device, and it’s clear that AirGradient is pushing the boundaries of accessible and reliable outdoor air quality monitoring. This device presents a compelling alternative to existing solutions, particularly for those seeking transparency and robust performance.

Technical Specifications O-1PST

  • WiFi 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n-compliant
  • Bluetooth LE: Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth mesh
  • Status LED
  • Plantower PMS5003T for PM2.5 + ENS210 for T/RH
  • SenseAir S8/S88 CO2 NDIR Sensor
  • Sensirion SGP41 TVOC/NOX Module
  • Enclosure: ASA Plastic, UV Resistant and Weather Proof
  • Mounting Options: Wall or pole mounting options
  • 4m USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • USB-C Power Connector 2A/5V
  • Certifications: CE, RoHS, REACH, FCC

Sensor Selection: A Thoughtful Approach

The Open Air features a well-considered suite of sensors designed for accurate and insightful data. For PM2.5 measurements, it utilizes the Plantower PMS5003T, a sensor known for its reliability and found in other popular monitors like the PurpleAir (though it’s important to note the PMS5003T is a similar but not identical variant).

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Spectroscopy: The Next Step for Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors

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The landscape of ambient air quality monitoring is evolving, driven by the increasing availability of low-cost sensors. While current low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors, which rely on light scattering, provide valuable data on particle size and number, they lack the ability to determine a particle’s composition. This limitation is a significant hurdle in understanding the true nature and origin of air pollution. The future of affordable PM sensors lies in spectroscopy, a technique that will allow for a more detailed analysis of airborne particles.

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The One Health Approach and the Treaty of Lisbon’s Competences

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The Treaty of Lisbon frames the European Union’s ability to act, creating a structural conflict between its strict division of competences and the comprehensive, borderless nature of the One Health (OH) approach required for effective pandemic proactiveness.

The One Health Approach and the Treaty of Lisbon’s Competences

The European Union’s implementation of its proactive pandemic strategy through the One Health (OH) approach must navigate the Treaty of Lisbon’s (ToL) division of powers, primarily relying on two categories:

  1. Shared Competence (Article 4 TFEU): The OH strategy will be most robustly implemented by leveraging the EU’s power in Environmental policy. Since the OH model focuses on tackling environmental disruptors (like climate change and deforestation) that increase zoonotic risk, the EU can adopt binding, harmonizing acts in the environmental sphere. Similarly, its role in supporting the European Research Area and funding research into health threats falls under the shared competence of research, technological development, and space.
  2. Supporting Competence (Article 6 TFEU): The direct impact on human health protection and improvement is constrained by this category. The EU can only support, coordinate, or supplement Member State actions. While it can coordinate responses via bodies like Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA), it cannot adopt legal acts that enforce a common, harmonized EU standard for healthcare practices or general public health laws across the bloc.
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Elemental Carbon (EC) vs. Black Carbon (BC): A Distinction in Measurement and Terminology

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The terms Elemental Carbon (EC) and Black Carbon (BC) are both used to describe the product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels, which is a significant component of aerosols (airborne particulate matter). While often used interchangeably in general discussion, they represent distinct concepts primarily tied to their respective measurement methodologies. Understanding this difference is crucial in air quality monitoring, climate science, and health studies.

Elemental Carbon (EC): The Reference Method

Elemental Carbon (EC) is the term associated with the reference method for measuring this specific fraction of carbonaceous aerosol.

  • Measurement Method: EC is quantified using thermal-optical analysis. This technique relies on the sequential heating of a filter sample to different temperatures in different atmospheres (non-oxidizing and oxidizing) to distinguish carbon fractions.
  • Standard Protocol: The EN 16909 standard is a prominent European standard for the determination of EC (and Organic Carbon, OC) in ambient air, often employing the thermal-optical reference technique.
  • Specific Protocol: The EUSAAR_2 thermal protocol is a common, specific thermal-optical protocol used to define the temperature steps and atmospheres for the measurement.
  • Charring Correction: A critical part of the thermal-optical method is the charring correction, typically based on the transmittance (or reflectance) of a laser beam through the filter. This corrects for the formation of “pyrolyzed” or “charred” organic carbon during the heating process, which can otherwise be misclassified as EC.
  • Definition: Conceptually, EC represents the carbon in its pure, elemental form—the refractory, graphitic, or amorphous carbon that is the most stable at high temperatures.
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aranet: Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring for a Healthier Home

Sotirios Papathanasiou1 Comment

In an era where indoor air quality and environmental safety are of a high importance, aranet has emerged as one of the leaders in providing reliable and intuitive monitoring solutions. See The Air has thoroughly reviewed several of aranet’s innovative products, each designed to empower individuals with crucial insights into their living spaces. From carbon dioxide levels to radon gas and even radiation, aranet offers peace of mind through precise and accessible data.

Most aranet monitors stand out by providing a holistic view of your environment, often including temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure alongside their primary measurements. This multi-parameter approach helps users understand the interplay of various factors affecting their indoor comfort and health.

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