(November 2, 2022) - The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) at Laurentian University and Greater Sudbury Public Library (GSPL) have partnered to help Sudburians understand the importance of air quality and ventilation in their homes and workspaces during an airborne pandemic like COVID-19.
CROSH has provided GSPL with portable, easy-to-use CO2 monitors that Sudburians can borrow from several area branches. Borrowers can follow an information card and an online DIY assessment to measure CO2 at home, with several activities to help them understand the air quality and ventilation in their space.
We exhale carbon dioxide (CO2) when we breathe. By measuring the concentration of CO2 in an indoor area, we can get an idea of the amount of exhaled air in that space that we are rebreathing. Higher levels of CO2 are linked to a known decrease in cognitive functioning and other potential poor health outcomes. They also let us know if the air in a space is being replaced frequently enough.
CROSH will use the results from the online assessments to see whether a scientific tool and a simple experiment can improve peoples’ understanding of: air quality, the basics of ventilation, and what factors impact air quality during an airborne pandemic.
Sudburians can participate in this experiment and learn about air quality and ventilation in their own homes by borrowing a CO2 monitor from one of the following GSPL branches:
- Chelmsford Public Library and Citizen Service Centre
- Valley East Public Library and Citizen Service Centre
- Main Public Library
- New Sudbury Public Library
- South End Public Library
- Lively Public Library and Citizen Service Centre
The co-research leads for the project are Dr. Alison Godwin (CROSH Associate Director; Associate Professor at Laurentian University) and Dr. Katie Goggins (CROSH Senior Scientist).
CROSH has over ten years of experience connecting and engaging with Northern Ontario workplaces and communities.
QUOTE:
“The simplicity of this tool to demonstrate an immediate impact on the air quality in my home was empowering the first time I used it. It gives me confidence in the areas I choose to visit in public spaces and we wanted to give that knowledge to other people in our community”
Dr. Alison Godwin, Associate Director, CROSH
Associate Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Laurentian University
Co-Research Lead on Project