While it is possible to see smoke, and even to some degree smog, it is sometimes hard to know what the quality of the air might be. For many, even a little pollution in the air can go a long way towards big respiratory problems. Unfortunately, it isn’t so easy as just looking out the window to know whether the air quality is good enough for extensive physical activities.
A new personal monitoring device may make it easier to know whether you might want to keep the activities indoors. The MircoPEM was created by North Carolina-based RTI international, and is small enough to be worn on your body and help you know the quality of the air out there. It can measure pollution content of the surrounding air, and monitor your workout levels at the same time – and more importantly inform you if you should cease activity.
Let’s hope the quality of air improves, and these devices are required just to go for a bike ride.