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    Indoor Air Quality

    Air quality affects sleep, allergies, lungs, even cognition.

    AirThings View Plus

    $300

    Best all-round monitor. Radon, PM2.5, CO2, humidity, VOCs. Wi-Fi connected.

    Best for full-home health.

    PurpleAir

    $220

    Outdoor air quality (PM2.5). Connects to community network — see real-time air everywhere.

    Best for wildfire / pollution areas.

    Awair Element

    $150

    Indoor PM2.5, CO2, VOCs. Beautiful display. Connects to smart home.

    Best entry-level monitor.

    EcoQube

    $30-60

    Cheap basic CO2 + temperature.

    For just CO2 alerts.

    AirNow app (FREE)

    FREE

    EPA real-time outdoor air quality. Map of your area.

    Best free outdoor air check.

    Radon test kit

    $15-30

    One-time short-term radon test. Mail to lab.

    EPA recommends every home test for radon.

    What to monitor and why

    • PM2.5 — fine particles from smoke, cooking, wildfires. Major cause of asthma, heart disease.
    • Radon — odorless gas from soil. Causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths/year in US. Test EVERY home.
    • CO2 — high indoor CO2 causes drowsiness, headaches, poor concentration. Open windows.
    • VOCs — chemicals from cleaning products, paint, furniture. Linked to headaches and worse.
    • Humidity — under 30% causes dry skin/sinuses; over 60% breeds mold.
    • Temperature — for comfort and energy efficiency.

    Air purifiers worth knowing

    • Coway AirMega 200M — best value. Around $150.
    • Levoit Core 400S — solid mid-range, smart features.
    • BlueAir 211+ — premium quiet operation.
    • HEPA filter required to remove smoke and allergens. UV alone is mostly marketing.
    • Run continuously — air purifiers work over time, not in bursts.

    If you live in wildfire country

    A PurpleAir monitor + a $150 HEPA purifier in the bedroom = breathable air during smoke events. Worth far more than "wait it out."