Method for reliable, individualized measurement and warning of air pollution, and associated device

• Main Author: AUBERT BRUNO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.03.2009
• Subjects: ALARM SYSTEMS; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; PHYSICS; SIGNALLING; SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; TESTING

The method consists in, first, circulating the air in which the content of a specific pollutant is to be measured through or over materials that reversibly absorb compounds in the air that interfere with the measurement of pollution. These absorbent materials are employed in the form of self-fixing patches or membranes that can be disposed of after use and are placed between the air to be measured and the measurement means. These patches or membranes can be used for all types of measurement means, such as electronic sensors or calorimetric indicators (in which case the membrane will advantageously be transparent). This actual pre-treatment of the air will thus allow reliable, reproducible measurement irrespective of the environmental conditions (humidity, presence of other pollutants, etc.). For humidity, for example, the membrane will consist of silica gel or cotton wool. A first application is an individualized warning device that can be carried on the reverse of a jacket or on the wrist, for alerting asthmatics to the presence of a peak in ozone pollution or sulphur and nitrogen oxide pollution.