We spend about 80% of our time indoors, often assuming the air inside is clean. However, new research from the University of Utah, co-led by TELLUS co-founder Dr. Kerry Kelly, reveals that outdoor pollution doesn’t always stay outside. Over 18 months, researchers used TELLUS AirU air quality monitors across the University of Utah’s Salt Lake campus to track how various pollution events like wildfires, temperature inversions, and dust storms affect indoor air. Here’s what they discovered: Inversions and dust typically remain outside. Wildfire smoke, however, can find its way in — especially during peak fire season and in buildings that use air-side economizers. The type of HVAC system in place matters, and better air filters can make a big difference. As we enter another wildfire season, this research is a timely reminder: the air inside your home, office, or classroom may not be as protected as you think. “The good thing is it’s a very solvable problem … Even simple solutions like portable air filters do a great job.” Dr. Kerry Kelly This work highlights a key point we emphasize at TELLUS: You can’t fix what you can’t see. Understanding how air moves and changes is the first step to protecting the people inside. Check out the full study in the June issue of Building and Environment, or learn how TELLUS turns invisible risks into visible, real-time insights. Don’t wait for the smoke to settle. Get visibility into your air quality today. Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132325004597#bib0009 https://attheu.utah.edu/research/does-outdoor-air-pollution-affect-indoor-air-quality-it-could-depend-on-buildings-hvac/ Community Air Monitoring Makes the Invisible Visible When smoke from wildfires or industrial activity moves in, it… Read More July 8, 2025 Can Outdoor Pollution Affect Indoor Air? New Study from the University of Utah Says: It Depends. We spend about 80% of our time indoors, often assuming… Read More June 12, 2025 Dust Storm Drops Salt Lake City’s Air Quality to Unhealthy Levels On the night of April 8, a powerful cold front… Read More May 14, 2025 The Air You Stir Up: How Vacuuming Affects Indoor Air Quality Now that it’s spring, many of us are starting to… Read More April 23, 2025 TELLUS Featured on FOX 13 News During Salt Lake City Fire Response Last Friday, a large fire at Metro Group Recycling in… Read More April 16, 2025 Air Quality Monitor Deployment for Davis County Engages Community The Davis County Health Department is enhancing air quality awareness… Read More January 21, 2025 Davis County installs new TELLUS AirU Pro air quality monitors Davis County has improved access to real-time air quality data… Read More January 15, 2025 TELLUS AirView Featured on Fox-13 We’re excited to share another Fox-13 broadcast featuring TELLUS! Over… Read More December 10, 2024 “Tools to help you better monitor Utah’s air quality” – Kerry Kelly on KSL TELLUS Co-Founder Kerry Kelly on KSL: Tools for Monitoring Utah’s… Read More December 3, 2024 What U. researchers are learning about dangers associated with Great Salt Lake dust Researchers from the University of Utah have found that the… Read More September 19, 2024 Load More