There are many reasons why your indoor air quality might be worse than outdoor - this is the great value of the AirVisual Pro!

  1. Perhaps the outdoor monitoring station isn't your closest station. The station automatically selected is based on your Wi-Fi's IP address - and could, in a big city, not be your closest. To check, go to the settings menu by pressing the center button > 'Location' > 'Locations List' > 'Change outdoor location', and choose your nearest station. You can find out what your nearest station is through the app. It could be that your nearest outdoor station only reports Ozone or PM10 readings; PM2.5 tends to be the worse pollutant and wouldn't compare against Ozone or PM10.

  2. Air quality can be very localized. To test the sensor, hold your Pro up close to an air purifier's air outlet. The Pro's PM2.5 values should drop close to zero, or to the teens, depending on the quality of the purifier and filter. Some reasons for poor indoor air quality could be from a neighbor burning coal or wood, nearby highway, indoor cooking, sprays, smoke, incense, etc.

Return to AirVisual Knowledge Base

Related news

Tout afficher

Smoke over a city skyline

Wildfire Smoke Alert: Montreal ranked in top 10 most polluted cities

Smoke from Canada’s northern forest fires has drifted into the Great Lakes region. Find out more about this air quality event.

Plus

Smoke over the Grand Canyon.

Wildfire Map Spotlight: North Rim Fires, Arizona

A historic lodge has been destroyed as a pair of wildfires burns along the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Find out more about these fires.

Plus

Fire burning in a pine forest

Wildfire Map Spotlight: Northern California

Many fires are burning across the wilds of Northern California. Find out more about these fires.

Plus