Many people take clean air as a given. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates (2014) that 4 million deaths globally are caused, at least in part, by air pollution. WHO also estimates (2016) that more than 90% of the world’s population lives in regions where air pollutant levels are higher than the WHO specified limits. While these estimates address outdoor air pollution, air pollution also occurs in homes, buildings and vehicles. These are places where the owner can and should do something to prevent health problems. Sensing the air quality is an essential part of protection and action.

In its “Gas and Particle Sensors 2018 report,” Yole Développement projects that the global gas sensor market value will increase from slightly less than US$.8 billion in 2018 to more than US$1 billion in 2023. This growth will occur in building applications, including hotels and restaurants, as well as personal vehicles, public transportation and homes. As a result, Yole projects the market for air purifier systems to expand from US$16 billion in 2017 to US$33 billion in 2023 with a 12.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). These systems often use gas and particle sensors to initiate action or at least to provide an alert or alarm.

Large companies that have been in air quality sensing for many years include Robert Bosch, ams and Sensirion. CES 2019, like its previous years, had several newer or certainly less well known suppliers of air quality sensing and monitoring systems. For example, Senseair displayed its first battery powered and Internet of Things connected Indoor Air Quality solution, the Aercast. But the established players were also promoting their approaches, too. Bosch, for example, displayed its AIR well-being sensor to measure air quality, humidity, temperature, brightness and noise.