Airthings Wave Plus: Breathe Easy with Continuous Radon & Air Quality Monitoring

Update on Feb. 8, 2025, 5:05 p.m.

The Invisible Threat: A Family’s Journey to Clean Air

The Millers were thrilled to be moving into their newly built home in Boulder, Colorado. Nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it was everything they’d dreamed of. But, as a physician, Dr. Emily Miller was acutely aware of the potential health risks lurking within their seemingly pristine new walls. She’d read about the prevalence of radon in Colorado, and the dangers of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from new construction materials. Her husband, Tom, initially dismissed her concerns, but Emily’s persistence – and her professional knowledge – convinced him that they needed to take indoor air quality seriously. This isn’t just about a musty smell; it’s about long-term health.

What is Indoor Air Quality, Anyway?

We often think of air pollution as an outdoor problem – smog, exhaust fumes, industrial emissions. But the air inside our homes can be significantly more polluted, and since we spend, on average, 90% of our time indoors, this is a major concern. Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Poor IAQ can lead to a range of health problems, from short-term irritations like headaches and fatigue to long-term risks like respiratory diseases and even cancer.

The major culprits? We’re talking about a cocktail of invisible threats:

Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas, the silent, odorless killer we’ll delve into shortly.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): We exhale CO2 with every breath. In poorly ventilated spaces, it can build up, causing drowsiness, headaches, and reduced cognitive function.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These are chemicals released from a vast array of everyday products: paints, varnishes, cleaning supplies, new furniture, carpets, and even air fresheners. They can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and, in some cases, more serious long-term health problems.
Humidity: Too much or too little moisture in the air can exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. High humidity also promotes mold growth.
Temperature: Indoor temperature fluctuations can affect comfort, sleep quality, and even productivity.
Air Pressure: Changes in barometric pressure, often associated with weather patterns, can trigger headaches and joint pain in some individuals.

Radon: The Silent Killer in Your Basement

Let’s focus on radon, arguably the most insidious of these indoor air pollutants. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It’s invisible, odorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without specialized equipment. As uranium breaks down, it goes through a series of transformations, releasing radioactive particles at each stage. This is known as the radon decay chain. When we inhale these particles, they can damage the lining of our lungs, increasing our risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking, and the leading cause among non-smokers.

Radon seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and even through well water. Because it’s heavier than air, it tends to concentrate in basements and lower levels of homes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon levels if they reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. However, it’s important to understand that any level of radon exposure carries some risk.

The problem with traditional, short-term radon tests (like charcoal canisters) is that they only provide a snapshot of radon levels at a particular point in time. Radon levels fluctuate constantly due to factors like weather, ventilation, and even the operation of your HVAC system. A short-term test might give you a falsely low reading if taken during a period of low radon concentration, or a falsely high reading during a peak.

Beyond Radon: Understanding CO2, VOCs, and More

While radon is a major concern, it is only one aspect of indoor air quality. As stated before, high CO2 levels are indicative of insufficient ventilation. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1, a widely recognized standard for ventilation, provides guidelines for acceptable indoor CO2 levels, indirectly addressing ventilation rates. Keeping CO2 low means fresh air is circulating.

VOCs, on the other hand, are a more complex beast. They represent a vast array of chemicals, each with its own properties and potential health effects. Some common examples include:

Formaldehyde: Found in pressed-wood products (like particleboard and plywood), some furniture, and certain fabrics. It can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and is a known human carcinogen.
Benzene: Found in paints, glues, and some cleaning products. It’s also a known human carcinogen.
Toluene: Found in paints, thinners, and adhesives. It can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Acetaldehyde: Emitted, among other soruces, by combustion appliances.

The health effects of VOC exposure vary depending on the specific chemicals involved, the concentration, and the duration of exposure. Short-term exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause immediate symptoms like eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and dizziness. Long-term exposure to even lower levels of some VOCs has been linked to more serious health problems, including liver and kidney damage, and certain types of cancer.

Meet the Airthings Wave Plus: Your Personal Air Quality Scientist

This is where the Airthings Wave Plus comes in. This isn’t your average air quality monitor. It’s a sophisticated device that continuously tracks all six key IAQ factors: radon, CO2, VOCs, humidity, temperature, and air pressure. The Wave Plus is designed for ease of use. Its sleek, minimalist design blends seamlessly into any home environment. And, crucially, it’s battery-powered, eliminating the need for unsightly cords and allowing you to place it wherever it’s needed most.

The standout feature, however, is its continuous monitoring capability. Unlike one-time tests, the Wave Plus provides a constant stream of data, giving you a complete picture of your indoor air quality over time. A simple wave of your hand in front of the device activates a color-coded light ring: green for good, yellow for fair, and red for poor, giving you an at-a-glance assessment.

How it Works: Inside The Airthings Wave

The Airthings Wave Plus employs a suite of advanced sensor technologies to achieve its comprehensive monitoring:

Radon Detection (Alpha Spectrometry): The Wave Plus uses a passive diffusion chamber and alpha spectrometry to detect radon. Air diffuses into the chamber, and when radon atoms decay, they emit alpha particles. These particles are detected by a silicon photodiode, and their energy is measured. By analyzing the energy spectrum of the alpha particles, the device can accurately determine the concentration of radon in the air. This method is far more accurate and reliable than simpler, less sophisticated radon detectors. The Wave Plus takes radon measurements every 60 minutes.
CO2 Detection (NDIR Sensor): The Wave Plus uses a Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensor to measure CO2 levels. This sensor contains an infrared lamp, a sample chamber, and an optical filter. The lamp emits infrared light, which passes through the sample chamber containing the air being tested. CO2 molecules absorb infrared light at a specific wavelength (4.26 µm). The optical filter measures the amount of light that passes through the chamber without being absorbed. By comparing the amount of light emitted by the lamp to the amount of light detected by the filter, the sensor can accurately calculate the concentration of CO2 in the air. The Wave Plus is self-calibrating, using an automatic baseline algorithm. It takes CO2 measurements every 5 minutes.
VOC Detection (Metal-Oxide Sensor): The Wave Plus uses a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor to detect VOCs. This sensor contains a heated metal-oxide film. When VOC molecules come into contact with the film, they react with the oxygen ions on the surface, changing the electrical resistance of the film. The sensor measures this change in resistance, which is proportional to the concentration of VOCs in the air. The MOS sensor in the Wave Plus is sensitive to a wide range of VOCs, providing a total VOC (TVOC) reading. The sensor requires approximately 7 days to calibrate to its environment. It takes VOC measurements every 5 minutes.
Temperature, Humidity, and Pressure Sensors: The Wave Plus also includes sensors for temperature, humidity, and air pressure. These sensors provide additional context for understanding your indoor air quality. For example, high humidity can promote mold growth, while temperature can affect the rate at which VOCs are released from materials.

Continuous Monitoring: Why It Matters

The key advantage of the Airthings Wave Plus is its continuous monitoring capability. As mentioned earlier, radon levels fluctuate significantly over time. The same is true for CO2 and VOCs. CO2 levels will rise when a room is occupied and fall when it’s empty. VOC levels may spike after cleaning, painting, or assembling new furniture. A single snapshot measurement simply cannot capture these dynamic changes.

Continuous monitoring allows you to:

Identify trends: See how your air quality changes over time, revealing patterns and potential problems.
Pinpoint sources: Identify the sources of pollution, such as a new piece of furniture or inadequate ventilation.
Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions: See if your actions (e.g., opening windows, using an air purifier) are actually improving your air quality.
Receive timely alerts: Get notified when levels exceed recommended thresholds, allowing you to take action quickly.

The Airthings App: Your Data, Your Control

The Airthings Wave Plus connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The free Airthings app (available for iOS and Android) provides a user-friendly interface for viewing your data, setting up notifications, and customizing your device. The app displays detailed graphs of your air quality readings over time, allowing you to see trends and identify potential problems.

For even greater convenience, you can connect the Wave Plus to an optional Airthings Hub. The Hub connects the Wave Plus to the internet, allowing you to access your data from anywhere in the world. It also enables integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, giving you voice control and the ability to automate your smart home devices based on your air quality readings. For example, you could configure your smart thermostat to automatically increase ventilation if CO2 levels get too high.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Practical Steps for Improvement

Knowing your air quality is the first step. Taking action is the next. Here are some practical steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality:

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation by opening windows and doors, using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and considering a mechanical ventilation system.
Source Control: Identify and remove sources of pollution, such as high-VOC paints, cleaning products, and building materials.
Air Purifiers: Consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove particulate matter and an activated carbon filter to remove VOCs.
Radon Mitigation: If your radon levels are elevated, contact a certified radon mitigation professional to install a radon reduction system.
Humidity Control: Use a dehumidifier in damp areas and a humidifier in dry areas to maintain a healthy humidity level (generally between 30% and 50%).

The Future of Indoor Air Quality

The awareness regarding the quality of the air is growing, more companies will provide monitors and purifiers. These devices will also likely become more accurate and less expensive.