What is uRADMonitor?

uRADMonitor is a project that addresses pollution, the kind that we are unable to see, but directly affects our health and can cause life threatening diseases. To help fight pollution, we have designed several fixed and mobile detectors, packed with powerful sensors, capable of detecting both the chemical and the physical harmful factors. All data goes online to a global network, so anyone can access it freely, at any time.

What type of pollutants are uRADMonitor devices able to detect?

uRADMonitor devices are able to detected a wide variety of pollutants, like: alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation, an extended range of volatile organic compounds, the dangerous - potentially lethal gasses like Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, particulate matter suspended in air, many of which are hazardous, like: dust, pollen, soot, smoke, or any liquid droplets, as well as barometric pressure, temperature and humidity.

By acquiring a device, you will not only benefit personally from its readings, securing your health, but you will also contribute to building the global pollution map, increasing people’s awareness on this issue.

 

uRADMonitor models description

We took several hardware designs from prototyping to production in record time. Choose the variant that suits you best, all are excellent detectors.

 

uRADMonitor Model D

The first portable unit in the series, this model opens a new direction with additional sensors focused on air quality and pollution.

It can measure temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, dust concentration, pollen, smoke, soot, VOC (volatile organic compounds) and also alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiation.

It has a large color LCD with a touchscreen and can connect to WiFi networks to  gain Internet access and synchronize all measurements with the central server. 

The internal alarm is used for audible warnings for elevated readings, dangerous for our health. These notifications can also be transmitted automatically via email or sms.

Model D is equipped with the following sensors and features:
•LND712 made in the USA for Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
•BME680 from Bosch, to measure air temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and VOC with great stability
•Sharp photoelectric sensor to measure dust, pollen, soot, smoke and other particulate matter
•1500mAh rechargeable battery for 8 hours of continuous use
•wireless 802.11b/g/n connectivity
•mini USB connector for charging or data

The retail price of URADMonitor model D is 590 USD + shipping

Early bird for URADMonitor model D comes with a special price of  490 USD + shipping

uRADMonitor Model A

Designed with an aluminium enclosure, with a rubber gasket for rain protection, this model has an internal temperature sensor and a Geiger Tube to detect Gamma radiation. Measurements are transmitted automatically, via the  Internet, using a cable Ethernet connection.

Model A uses the SBM-20 Military Geiger Tube sensor for Radiation, an internal temperature sensor and Ethernet connectivity with plug and play DHCP support.

The retail price of URADMonitor model A is 190 USD + shipping

Early bird for URADMonitor model A comes with a special price of  150 USD + shipping

 

uRADMonitor KIT1

This variant is released as Open Source, with complete specs publicly available. To build one you only need a soldering iron. Once complete, it measures the Gamma radiation and using the integrated Ethernet connectivity, will send all measurements automatically via the Internet, to the central server. It can also be used as a portable dosimeter, showing all measurements on the LCD.

KIT1 uses the SBM-20 Military Geiger Tube sensor for Radiation and Ethernet connectivity with plug and play DHCP support.

The retail price of URADMonitor KIT1 solderable is 90 USD + shipping

The retail price of URADMonitor KIT1 assembled is  120 USD + shipping

How are the readings visualised?

uRADMonitor is the first global surveillance monitoring network created to track pollution. Readings can be viewed instantly on the models that have a display: model D and KIT1. Measurements are centralised automatically, and online data allows us to build graphs, stats and send automated notifications when certain thresholds are reached.   The web portal can be accessed on www.uradmonitor.com  by anyone, at anytime, for free. The project started back in 2013 and the number of worldwide users has already reached 300.  This infrastructure is an amazing piece of technology, handling big data loads in real time.  With a click, you see the entire world mapped in colours, hopefully as green as possible!

What makes uRADMonitor unique?

uRADMonitor is the first global network created to track pollution, in order to increase awareness and secure health. It already reached 300 users with Model A for over a year, proving its quality and reliability.

uRADMonitor Model D advantages:

• it is the first to use the newest and most reliable VOC sensor, that will only be available from next year. Similar handheld devices, using VOC sensors, available on the market, have very little life span and poor stability. This is probably the reason why no pollution large scale maps were available up to now.

• it has a larger number of sensors compared with most pollution detectors on the market, therefore it's more sensitive and able to measure multiple parameters affecting the air quality.

• it has the best price on the market considering the many sensors and its incredible features.

• an easy to use UI

• it is a complex gadget, equipped with a wide range of high quality expensive sensors, a colour display, wireless module and a rechargeable battery, making it an independent device (with no additional software required nor any smartphones to do its job). This is a professional device, with an expensive production chain but that's what you get so don't settle for anything less. We're also trying to fit any budget, this is why the project allows joining with a multitude of detectors. Our next goal is to build 2 simpler, smaller, lightweight and affordable  but still high quality, VOC and radiation detector models, in the near future, addressing them primarily to bicyclists and joggers and all people interested and supporting a cleaner environment. We're making it happen!

The uRADMonitor devices come with some amazing features:

Frequently asked questions

How do uRADMonior devices work?

uRADMonior devices are packed with powerful sensors, capable of detecting both the chemical and the physical harmful factors, that can impact our lifespan and cause life threatening diseases. Readings can be viewed instantly on the devices that have a display. All readings are centralised automatically on www.uradmonitor.com. Online data allows us to build graphs, stats and send automated notifications when certain thresholds are reached.

Who can benefit from these devices? Why should I get one?

Anyone, with or without a device can benefit from this project. The www.uradmonitor.com is available for free, offering valuable uncensored pollution statistics and graphs, around the world. If you want to get specific information on your own location you can purchase a device and by doing so you get to contribute to the entire network as well.

Every day synthetic, toxic chemicals are released into the environment. The air is what we breathe; what travels through the air is what we inhale. As it ultimately affects the future of our planet and us, it is considered to be a global threat at huge cost to the environment.

People with allergies, asthma, lung cancer or other respiratory diseases can benefit the most from these devices, as their health state might not give them the option to ignore excessive dust, pollen, high concentration of toxic chemicals or highly polluted traffic areas. Knowing the facts might be a life saver for people that are already ill and a good preventer for us all.

What is radiation?

Radiation may be defined as energy traveling through space. Non-ionizing radiation, like:microwaves, lasers, radio waves, infrared light, radar or ultraviolet light is essential to life, but excessive exposures will cause tissue damage, whereas all forms of ionizing radiation, like: the cosmic radiation that passes the atmosphere, x-ray used for screenings or the decay of radioactive isotopes especially found near uranium mines and nuclear plants, can cause damage to living tissue, and can result in mutation, radiation sickness, cancer, and death.

Radiation sources are found in a wide range of occupational settings like: airline crew (the most exposed population), industrial radiography, medical radiology and nuclear medicine, uranium mining , nuclear power plant, research laboratories. Massive particles are a concern for astronauts outside the earth's magnetic field who would receive solar particles from solar proton events (SPE) and galactic cosmic rays from cosmic sources.

The public also is exposed to radiation from consumer products, such as tobacco (polonium-210), combustible fuels (gas, coal, etc.), televisions, luminous watches and dials (tritium), airport X-ray systems, smoke detectors (americium), electron tubes, and gas lantern mantles (thorium). Air travel exposes people on aircraft to increased radiation from space up to 40 times more compared to the ground level.

How can radiation affect my health?

If radiation is not properly controlled it can be potentially hazardous to the health. Ionizing radiation — the kind that minerals, atom bombs and nuclear reactors emit — does one main thing to the human body: it weakens and breaks up DNA, either damaging cells enough to kill them or causing them to mutate in ways that may eventually lead to cancer.

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds, sometimes referred to as VOCs, are chemicals that easily become vapours or gases, that contain carbon and are found in all living things. Along with carbon, they contain elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur or nitrogen.

Volatile organic compounds are released from burning fuel, such as gasoline, wood, coal, or natural gas. They are also emitted from oil and gas fields and diesel exhaust. Other sources include: solvents, paints, glues, and other products some of which can be used or stored at home and at work.

Many volatile organic compounds are also hazardous air pollutants. Volatile organic compounds, when combined with nitrogen oxides, react to form ground-level ozone, or smog, which can contribute to climate change.

Examples of volatile organic compounds are gasoline, benzene, formaldehyde, solvents such as toluene and xylene, styrene, and perchloroethylene, the main solvent used in dry cleaning.

Many volatile organic compounds are commonly used in paint thinners, lacquer thinners, moth repellents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, degreasers, automotive products, and dry cleaning fluids.

How might I be exposed to volatile organic compounds?

Volatile organic compounds are common air pollutants found in most of the air. You can be exposed to volatile organic compounds outdoors by breathing polluted air that contains them. You are most likely to be exposed to volatile organic compounds outdoors in the summer, when the sun and hot temperatures react with pollution or during the foggy winter days,to form smog, causing various respiratory health diseases.

Indoors, products that contain volatile organic compounds release emissions when you use them, and to a smaller degree, when they are stored. You can be exposed to volatile organic compounds at home when you are cooking like grilling and frying or when you use cleaning, painting, or hobby supplies products that contain VOCs. You can also be exposed if you dry clean your clothes with home dry-cleaning products; if you dry-clean your clothes at a professional dry-cleaner; or if you use graphics and crafts materials such as glues, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

At work, you can be exposed to volatile organic compounds if involved with dry cleaning, in a photography studio, or an office that uses copiers, printers, or correction fluids. You can also be exposed if you work in chemical manufacturing or with petroleum-based products.

How can volatile organic compounds affect my health?

The health effects of volatile organic compounds can vary greatly according to the compound, which can range from being highly toxic to having no known health effects. The health effects of volatile organic compounds will depend on the nature of the volatile organic compound, the level of exposure, and the length of exposure.

According to the Thirteenth Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program, benzene and formaldehyde are human carcinogens; perchloroethylene and styrene are "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." People at the highest risk of long-term exposure to these three volatile organic compounds are industrial workers who have prolonged exposure to the compounds used at the workplace; cigarette smokers; and people who have prolonged exposure to emissions from heavy motor vehicle traffic.

Long-term exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Short-term exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, fatigue, loss of coordination, allergic skin reactions, nausea, and memory impairment.

How does dust affect my health?

Very small particles can be deeply respired into the lungs and remain there. These type of particles, small enough to be inhaled may cause: irritation of the eyes, coughing, sneezing, hayfever or asthma attacks.

Other dust-related, human-health concerns include airborne transmission of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and fungus) and the compositions of certain hazardous dust particles.

Some minerals in dust are extremely hazardous, such as certain asbestiform minerals or silica because of their ability to lodge in lung tissue and promote disease such as lung cancer. Other minerals may contain potentially toxic elements, such as certain heavy metals.

Does the device detect pollen?

uRADMonitor Model D, does not have a specific pollen detector, but pollen particles would be detected just like other particulate matter.

How does CO affect my health?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a toxic gas that you cannot see or smell. CO is given off whenever fuel or other carbon-based materials are burned with insufficient air. Breathing CO can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. If CO levels are high enough, you may become unconscious or die. Exposure to moderate and high levels of CO over long periods of time has also been linked with increased risk of heart disease. People who survive severe CO poisoning may suffer long-term health problems.

Scientists are not sure what the health effects are when a person is exposed to low levels of CO over a long period of time. Better tracking of CO poisoning and exposure can help us learn about the effects of long-term exposures to low levels of CO.

How does knowing all the pollutants I’m being exposed to, get to help me?

"Like in many other mornings, my wife was preparing the breakfast, she was making toast for the breakfast. I’ve made some tests with uRADMonitor Model D an evening before, and the device was still running in the kitchen. I instantly received a notification on my phone with VOCs being on dangerous levels. At first I thought it could not be all of the sudden and it must be a false alarm, since the device was in its beta testing days, but then I realised it was actually the toast producing all the harmful gasses. We stopped this harmful habit right away!

One morning we took a ride through the city to test the air quality with the newly mounted experimental setup. We gathered data from almost 2 hours of driving, even passing a few times through the same place. As you can see in the video, data was automatically sent and displayed on the mobile, although without a map it was hard to appreciate the readings on site. Once we arrived home I’ve mapped all readings and I was surprised so see that on one of the streets the radiation levels were gradually increasing as we approached a location and then they were gradually decreasing as we were driving away from that place, meaning there was some kind of radioactive source in there. It might have been the basalt or granite used for construction which can contain uranium or some kind of radioactive waste and I'm tempted to dig more on this problem.

In some of the days, especially when the temperatures dropped we were more tempted to skip house ventilation too often so VOCs levels, especially from cooking and use of certain housekeeping products were increasing high enough to receive an alert on phone. This worked as a great reminder to ventilate our home!"  said Radu Motisan

These are just a few of the situations we’ve faced since testing uRADMonitor, but normally we might have never guessed what's there. So the answer is definitely, YES! There are actions we can take in certain situations, to minimise air pollution around us, instantly.

Did you know?