People are becoming more concerned with the environment, and monitoring air quality is growing in interest. However, most air quality sensors are expensive and difficult to use.

SPEC Sensors is quickly filling the need for air quality sensors that are user-friendly and less costly. 

Founded in 2012, the company is a partner company with Eco Sensors/KWJ Engineering, Inc., which holds various patents in sensor technology. SPEC’s range of  air quality sensors, with the recent launch of SPARROW CO and Air Quality monitor by Eco Sensors, featuring a SPEC Sensors screenprinted electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor, are positioning both companies to become leaders in gas sensing.

“SPEC Sensors grew up out of KWJ ‘s research,” said Cheryl Stetter, communications coordinator for SPEC Sensors and Eco Sensors/KWJ Engineering, Inc.

Typically, the US Environmental Protection Agency regulates air quality gases such as ozone, NO₂ from diesel, H₂S (an industrial byproduct) and SO₂ from coal. These gases are more prevalent in different locations; for example, London is more concerned with NO₂, while SO₂ is more prevalent in the midwest and east coast of the US.

Currently, ozone detection sensors for industrial areas are in high demand.

“Right now, there is a need for ozone detectors as a need for ozone sterilization has grown in demand in recent months,” Stetter reported.

SPEC provides sensors for a range of products, from air quality in smart cities to sensors for air quality in industrial settings as well as outdoors, while Eco Sensors specializes in ozone and CO detection.

Stetter said that SPEC Sensors’ typical products are more gas-specific, which allows the sensor to achieve greater accuracy.

“SPEC sensors are low power with greater sensitivity,” she added. “Many air quality devices use VOC sensors and are not meant to measure individual gasses.”

However, SPEC does meet the public demand for multi-gas monitoring with its IAQ (indoor air quality) sensor and respiratory irritant sensors.

In conjunction with Otter Box, SPEC Sensors recently launched SPARROW, a smartphone-connected carbon monoxide (CO) monitor that allows people to monitor their environment in real-time.

“Otter Box approached us after the death of Colorado native Lauren Johnson. They had the idea of developing a CO monitor that would connect to the OtterBox uniVERSE case system that had its own app, and detected CO at different levels,” Stetter said. “There is a huge need for SPARROW, laws that require CO alarms vary between cities and states  and there are few monitors on the market that provide data analysis. CO alarms are not always mandated in many schools, hotels, rental properties, and even some workplaces. Additionally, vehicles that are known to produce CO such cars, trucks, busses, boats, and recreational vehicles are not required to have CO alarms."

SPARROW data logs exposure over time and provides real-time data, which is key for both air quality enthusiasts and workplace safety.

“Right now, there are CO alarms in your home that alert you when it reaches 30 ppm. SPARROW will read even low levels under 5 ppm,” Stetter noted. “In addition to personal use, we have found a great deal of interest in SPARROW from educational institutions and employers trying to protect their workers.”

Stetter said that as interest in health and safety grows, SPEC Sensors and Eco Sensors are working with different organizations to meet the public need for air quality and gas safety. 

“We are continuing to reach both independent individuals interested in air qualityand larger institutions working for the betterment of the public and worker safety,” Stetter added. “There is a need for smaller companies like ours to create air quality devices for individuals and worker safety.”