Measure the air quality and temperature in a room and learn about eCO2 with the MonkMakes Air Quality Kit for Raspberry Pi 400 (and Pi 2, 3 and 4).

The MonkMakes Air Quality Kit for Raspberry Pi is based around the MonkMakes Air Quality Sensor Board. The board features a CCS811 VOC sensor IC and a TMP235 temperature sensor. Additionally, there is a rudimentary 6 LED display for displaying air quality readings and a simple buzzer. Code the Pi to gather data from the air quality boards sensors and then relay that information to the LED display and buzzer to alert and inform the user. There is also a power indicator LED so that you can see at a glance if the board has power.

The air quality board has been designed to connect directly GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi 400, just plug it in and start coding! The board can also be used with other models of Pi computer, such as the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, via the GPIO template and jumper wires included with the kit.

The kit is supplied with a full-colour instruction booklet that contains all of the information you will need to get the most from your kit. It covers; connecting the kit to the Pi (400, Pi 2, 3, or 4), setting up the Pi to read from the board, how to download example programs, and how to get and use the Thonny editor. Once set up is out of the way, it's time to work through the 3 experiments; reading temp & eCO₂, creating an alarm for experiment 1, data logging temperature and eCO₂ readings.

As the kit is supplied as a single boxed unit it is also the perfect choice for anyone who wishes to learn about measuring air quality at home.

Air quality and eCO₂

The air quality readings taken by the sensor on the Monk Makes Air Quality sensor board are actually of a group of gasses called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and not CO₂. In an indoor environment, these gasses rise at a similar rate under the same circumstances as CO₂ and can therefore be used to accurately estimate the equivalent CO₂ or eCO₂.

The level of CO₂ in the air we breathe has a direct influence on our well-being. CO₂ levels are of particular interest from a public health point of view as, to put it simply, they are a measure of how much we are breathing other people's air. We humans breathe out CO₂ and so, if several people are in a poorly ventilated room, the level of CO₂ will gradually increase. This is much the same as the viral aerosols that spread colds, flu and coronavirus as people breathe both out together.

Another important impact of CO₂ levels is in cognitive function – how well you can think. This study (amongst many more) have some interesting findings. The following quote is from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information in the USA:

“at 1,000 ppm CO₂, moderate and statistically significant decrements occurred in six of nine scales of decision-making performance. At 2,500 ppm, large and statistically significant reductions occurred in seven scales of decision-making performance” Source:

The table below is based on information from and shows the levels at which CO₂ can become unhealthy. The CO₂ readings are in ppm (parts per million).

Note:

• Raspberry Pi is not included.
• No soldering is required.

Features:

• Measure the air quality of a room with the Raspberry Pi.
• No soldering is required.
• Display the readings in real-time or log readings over time.
• The board features a 6 LED display for showing air quality levels.
• Create alarms with the onboard buzzer.
• The kit is supplied with a full-colour 24-page guide, packed full of useful information.
• Follow the setup instructions and then work through the 3 experiments and learn as you go.
• The perfect gift for any Raspberry Pi owner.
• Designed for the Raspberry Pi 400, this kit will also work with Pi 2, 3, and 4).
• The board features an LED power indicator.

Contents:

• 1 x MonkMakes Air Quality Sensor board
• 1 x Pack of Female to Male jumper wires.
• 1 x Raspberry Leaf GPIO template.

Requires:

• A (400, Pi2, 3, or 4).

Resources:

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