Our understanding of COVID-19 has rapidly changed over the course of the past couple years. Initially, scientists believed that the virus was spread through large “droplets” that were expressed through talking, sneezing and coughing. These droplets were thought to be heavy enough to drop through the air rather quickly (within an average of 6 ft distances) infecting others through both droplet and surface contact. Scientists have now concluded that it is not these droplets, or even surface infection, that we should be most concerned about; the virus is actually spread through aerosol sized particles that are invisible to the naked eye and light enough to stay within the atmosphere of an enclosed space for an hour or more. Because of our newfound understanding of how this virus works, proper indoor ventilation and air quality is more important now than ever. 1 Continue reading “The White House Clean Air Building Challenge: IAQ Action Plan for Our Future”
An Introduction to Data Centers
Anything we do in the cloud requires data centers: streaming shows on Netflix, buying products on Amazon, storing documents on Google Drive, posting on social media platforms, hailing a ride on Uber, reserving a room on Airbnb… Data centers are essential in keeping the systems we use on a daily basis functioning and operational. Continue reading “An Introduction to Data Centers”
What is a Particulate Matter Sensor and How Does it Work?
There are many methods of detecting air quality within a room and in outdoor environments. One of these methods is to measure particulates. Particulate matter can vary in size, and particles 10 micrometers and below are inhalable. (epa.gov) Inhaling particulates like dust, pollen, and smoke can have serious short and long-term impacts on health. Continue reading “What is a Particulate Matter Sensor and How Does it Work?”
What is parallax error and how can I avoid it?
What is parallax error?
Parallax error is when the pointer of a device looks like it’s at a different reading when read to the side compared to when read face-on. This is caused by the distance between the scale and the pointer. Because they’re not on the same plane, readings may not appear accurate when viewed at an angle. Continue reading “What is parallax error and how can I avoid it?”
Flow Monitoring in Emergency Safety Shower and Eyewash Stations
If you work with hazardous substances in your job, one of the first things you probably learned besides “Where’s the bathroom?” and “Where is my workstation?” is the location of the emergency safety shower and eyewash station. These emergency areas are vital to keeping workplace injuries to a minimum in laboratories and other hazardous areas. Continue reading “Flow Monitoring in Emergency Safety Shower and Eyewash Stations”