New Invention Used To Monitor Air Quality

Thanks to Tel Aviv University, families now have the technology to trace dust pollutants in their own homes. Professor Eyal Ben-Dor and student Sandra Chudnovsky created a new system called “Dust Alert” which informs people exactly of their air quality they are constantly breathing in. Similar to a carbon monoxide monitor, it finds the particles contaminating the air and the chemical composition of the toxins. In just minutes of the installation, this chemical analyzer can tell what dust is surrounding them. Although, the data can be much more conclusive over a couple week’s time. Polluted air can have damaging health effects such as asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer.

This monitor can drastically help after disasters like 9/11, dust storms and chemical fires. Many pollutants are released into the air at these times which many people are oblivious to. It can tell them when a building or office is safe enough to re-enter after being cleared out. In addition, this technology can possibly be used as “dust maps,” tracing cities and neighborhoods. In this way, high polluting areas like construction sites can be monitored. Many families would be more at ease with a monitor like this, knowing that their family is safe.


Rightly so, many families today are concerned for their health. The world is constantly being overused and then polluted with the wastes. But with technology like this, I think people would certainly be interested. Knowing exactly what they’re breathing in, they can find ways to improve air quality. Honestly in my opinion, the more the people know the better. We are the ones who are harming the environment and polluting the air so we should ultimately find ways to fix it.


American Friends of Tel Aviv University (2009, September 23). 'Dust Alert' Invention Monitors Air Quality, Determines Chemical Composition Of Toxins. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/09/090922162303.htm