"Elevated levels of CO 2 lead to reduced cognitive ability and facilitate transmission of airborne viruses, which can linger in poorly ventilated spaces for hours. The more CO 2 in the air, the more virus-friendly the air becomes, making CO 2 data a handy proxy for tracing pathogens. In fact, the Australian Academy of Science described the pollution in indoor air as "someone else's breath backwash." Kawaiicon organizers faced running a large infosec event"
""In general, the Michael Fowler venue has a single HVAC system, and uses Farr 30/30 filters with a rating of MERV-8," Kawaiicon organizers explained, referencing the filtration choices in the space where the convention was held. MERV-8 is a budget-friendly choice-standard practice for homes. "The hardest part of the whole process is being limited by what the venue offers," they explained. "The venue is older, which means less tech to control air flow, and an older HVAC system.""
"Kawaiicon's work began one month before the conference. In early October, organizers deployed a small fleet of 13 RGB Matrix Portal Room CO2 Monitors, an ambient carbon dioxide monitor DIY project adapted from US electronics and kit company Adafruit Industries. The monitors were connected to an internet-accessible dashboard with live readings, daily highs and lows, and data history that showed attendees in-room CO 2 trends. Kawaiicon tested its CO 2 monitors in collaboration with researchers from the University of Otago's public health department."
Elevated indoor CO2 concentrations reduce cognitive ability and facilitate airborne virus transmission that can linger for hours in poorly ventilated spaces. Higher CO2 levels correlate with increased virus-friendly conditions, making CO2 a useful proxy for pathogen presence in shared air. A convention faced measles and recurring Covid-19, influenza, and RSV waves while operating in an older venue limited by a single HVAC system using MERV-8 filtration. Organizers deployed 13 RGB Matrix Portal CO2 monitors with an internet dashboard to track in-room trends and collaborated with University of Otago public health researchers to validate readings.
Read at WIRED
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