Breathe Safe: How I Built a Device to Protect You from Hidden Car Air Toxins
We’ve all been there—stepping into a car that’s been baking under the hot summer sun. The blast of trapped, heavy air hits you first, followed by the discomfort: a mild headache, maybe a wave of nausea, or just that suffocating feeling that makes you want to roll down the windows immediately.
Growing up, I often noticed my parents’ ritual: before we got into the car, they would roll down all the windows, turn on the AC full blast, and wait a while before letting us sit inside. It was their way of “making the air breathable.” But later, when I often took cabs for commuting, I realized I didn’t have this luxury. I had to get in immediately, breathing that same heavy, stale, and oddly smelly air—often ending the trip feeling sick.
I started wondering: What exactly is in that air that makes us feel so unwell?
Discovering the Invisible Danger
My research led me to something both fascinating and alarming—VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These are gases emitted from everyday materials, and in cars, they come from plastics, upholstery, adhesives, and foams. Common VOCs found in vehicles include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene.
In a sealed and sun-heated car, VOC concentrations can spike dramatically. The short-term effects? Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and skin irritation. Long-term exposure is far more serious—respiratory problems, hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues, and even damage to vital organs.
That was my “aha” moment. I realized if we could detect these harmful compounds in real time, passengers could take immediate action—like ventilating the car—before the air became dangerous.
Building VOCTracker: My Solution
I began working on VOCTracker, a portable, real-time VOC detection device designed specifically for cars. The goal was simple: monitor VOC levels, alert the user instantly, and help them stay safe.
The core of the system is the SGP40 gas sensor, chosen for its accuracy in measuring total VOC levels with built-in humidity and temperature compensation. This sensor feeds data to an ESP32D microcontroller, which processes the readings and communicates with a user-friendly interface via Wi-Fi.
The working of the system:
Power Supply: A safe 12V DC adapter designed for in-car use powers the device.
Sensor Data: The SGP40 detects harmful compounds like benzene, toluene, and xylene.
Data Processing: The ESP32D interprets the readings and determines if VOC levels are within safe limits.
Real-Time Alerts: Through the BLYNK app or website, the passenger gets instant notifications if VOC levels are high.
This way, the passenger can take timely precautions—like opening windows or stepping out—before the air quality affects their health.
The Challenges Behind the Build
The process was anything but smooth. Procuring the right components took time and effort. Wiring so many modules together often led to short circuits, which I had to carefully troubleshoot. Coding the device in Arduino IDE required multiple rounds of rectification, especially to ensure every component communicated on the right port.
Soldering was another hurdle—I was a complete novice. Thankfully, a family friend guided me through it, and I learned a skill I can now proudly call my own.
The Proud Moment
After countless trials, I had a working prototype. Seeing the device accurately read VOC levels and send alerts in real time was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t just about the electronics—it was about building something that could make a real difference to people’s health and safety.
What’s Next for VOCTracker
This is only the beginning. My next step is to integrate safety recommendations directly into the app. For example, if the VOC level is moderately high, the app could suggest opening windows. If it’s dangerously high, it could advise leaving the vehicle altogether.
I also want to scale production to make VOCTracker cost-effective and accessible to the general public. Education will be key—I plan to use my blog and live demonstrations to show people exactly why monitoring car air quality matters and how VOCTracker works.
Why This Matters
We spend hours in our cars every week, often with the windows rolled up and the AC running. Without realizing it, we may be breathing in harmful compounds that could affect our health over time. VOCTracker is my attempt to make that invisible threat visible—and prevent it from harming people in the first place.
Because clean air should never be a luxury—it should be something every passenger can count on.
See you in the next blog....until then, stay curious and keep roboting.
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