Role of Nano-Sensors towards CO2 Concentrations in an Indoor Classroom Environment to improve Occupational Health

Abstract

Indoor ventilation is trivial in the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace and public places. To support humans by preventing various airborne infectious diseases in the indoor environment, this work elaborates on measuring the CO2 concentrations in indoor classroom use through the sensors. It can differentiate between various changes in the environment. Due to advancements in nanotechnology and microcontroller systems, the traditional usage of sensors has moved way beyond its reach in a diverse set of fields. Electrochemical gas sensors like MQ series sensors consist of nano-materials fabricated to define characteristics like sensitivity, selectivity, etc. Using these nano-science and nano-electronics technologies, a low-cost prototype with Arduino UNO, and a few other micro-sensors (DHT11, MQ2, MQ135) to measure environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and smoke and thus ensure a healthy workspace by continuously monitoring the readings in real-time. Classroom Environments may face various challenges in the pandemic situation where there is a massive density of occupancy as well as poor ventilation rates. The outdoor ventilation of the classroom is far more challenging than the indoor environment. The results reveal that this system can provide effective indoor monitoring and assessment for prohibiting harmful exposures and risk factors. Data analysis shows the correlation between humidity and quality of air based on CO2 concentrations. Poor ventilation can be lessened by reducing Air Conditioning systems and figuring out the pollutants present in the classroom environment benefiting the users with respiratory illness.