The £170 pollution spy

A NEW scanner could help improve the home by telling the user when there is a spike in pollution – and what to do about it.

The £170 Foobot, left, which is linked to a smartphone app via wi-fi, is aimed at those with asthma and allergies. Every five minutes it provides a breakdown of the levels of carbon dioxide, volatile compounds, including those given off by some cleaning products, humidity and temperature. If it detects a major change, the user is asked to record an event that may have led to it, such as cooking or cleaning, so the device can find a cause for the spike. In homes that have a ‘smart’ thermostat or ventilation, Foobot can be linked to these to adjust them on if the reading is above healthy levels.