Discover the technology behind Yukon detectors

• Total Volatile Organic Compounds
  The Total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOC) include several different chemical compounds that are characterized by high volatility, that is to say they are able to convert from a liquid state into a gaseous one, therefore polluting the air we breathe.
  At the office and at home, furniture, textile fibers, cladding, copy machines and similar, stoves and smoke can liberate tVOC exceeding the acceptability level. Even a low increase of temperature or humidity can cause the VOC emissions.
  Among the most important tVOC there is the Benzene (also found in tobacco smoke, and which is used to produce plastics) and the Formaldehyde (mostly present in furniture paints, glues, resins). The scientific community has declared them as carcinogenic substances. Yukon uses a CMOS technology intelligent detector to get high resistance and duration in time.
• Carbon Monoxide
  Carbon Monoxide is a very poisonous gas, color- and odorless caused by a bad combustion. The high CO poisonousness ensures that its presence, even at low concentrations, might provoke nausea, headache, loss of consciousness in long exposed subjects.
  If the exposition to high concentrations is continuous, the CO might lead to death due to its ability to bind itself more easily to blood rather than to oxygen.
  The carbon monoxide is the result of bad combustion, heating systems’ malfunctions, such as boilers, fireplaces, stoves and other wood- or gas-fired appliances, like ovens or gas-fired hot water heaters.
  It is also present in cigarettes’ smoke. Yukon adopts an electrochemical cell detector commonly used in safety applications, which is in compliance with the EN 50291-1:2018 regulation and UL2075 certified.
• Temperature and Humidity
  Temperature and humidity are two very important values for the indoor comfort. Despite the different degree of “hot” and “cold” that each individual perceives, the ideal body temperature ranges from 20°C to 24°C, with a humidity between 40-60%.
  Under 40% humidity the climate becomes too dry, therefore increasing the need to drink and making it easier for bacteria to spread causing cold and flues.
  If the humidity level is higher, a higher temperature will be perceived, hence increasing the risk for molds and wall condensations to develop.
  Yukon uses an industrially pre-calibrated long-lasting intelligent detector.
• Methane / LPG
  The danger of Methane and/or LPG within a close environment is due to the concentration of the air-gas mixture that, if conveniently activated, it causes an explosion.
  Each flammable gas has a minimum concentration limit in % expressed that, in case of overrun, makes the danger tangible.
  This limit is defined as Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
  Yukon uses a catalytic combustion detector commonly applied in safety applications, which is in compliance with the EN 50194-1:2010.
• PM 2.5 and PM 10
  PM 2.5 and PM 10 are particles with an aerodynamic diameter respectively equal and lower than 10 and 2.5 micrometer; they are made of dust, smoke and liquid substances’ micro drops (aerosol).
  These microparticles can be found in the external environment or directly generated within the indoor environment through the normal activities of cooking, cleaning, or when touching and using objects.
  Even simple temperature and humidity variations might activate the particulate matter of indoor objects.
  The particulate matter can absorb gas and toxic vapors on the particles’ surface. This phenomenon helps increasing the concentrations of gas pollutants that reach the deepest part of the lung through the above-mentioned PM 10 and PM 2.5.
  The extended exposition in time to the particulate matter, starting from lower doses, is associated to diseases as chronical bronchitis, asthma and respiratory functioning reduction. Moreover, the chronical exposition is likely to be associated to an increase in the risk of respiratory tract tumors.
  Instead of using the most common LED technology detectors, Yukon uses the laser technology ones in order to get an excellent accuracy while detecting.
• Carbon Dioxide
  Carbon Dioxide, also known as CO2, is a color- and odorless noble gas that is naturally present on our planet. This gas in indoor environment is mainly produced by the biological process of breathing, according to which individuals inhale Oxygen molecules and exhale Carbon Dioxide. It can be also produced by plants, especially in no light conditions.
  The Carbon Dioxide produced in a closed environment is, if in great amounts, perceivable as a “bad odor” o simply as “stale air”. Great concentrations of CO2 might lead to poor efficiency, decreases in concentration, breathing difficulties, headache, physical fatigue.
  Yukon uses different detecting technologies depending on the device: from the most basic detectors that evaluate the CO2 presence on the basis of the tVOC and hydrogen concentration, to the most accurate and expensive infrared technology detectors for a precise and focused detection.
  Yukon uses an intelligent multi cell CMOS technology detector to get an excellent resistance and duration in time.
• Formaldehyde
  Formaldehyde is a colorless, tasteless but strong-smelling gas aldehyde. It is produced during combustion processes, but in closed environments is very common to find it in the form of cigarettes’ smoke.
  In indoor environments, the formaldehyde is present in cosmetics and detergents, paints (fresh especially), plywood and pressed wood furniture, in other words in artificial resins. In 2004 the formaldehyde has joined the Group 1 of carcinogenic substances for human beings according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
  If long inhaled, formaldehyde can lead to eyes and mucosa irritation, together with a strong respiratory difficulty.
  Formaldehyde is very difficult to be accurately detected. Yukon uses a cell electrochemical detector commonly used in safety applications at industrial level, reporting an excellent selectivity and low ethanol interference.

• Carbon Monoxide intoxication

  Headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions, accelerated heartbeat. If we are sleeping or not paying attention to these symptoms, we lose consciousness in a very short time (between 3 minutes and 2 hours depending on the quantity of carbon monoxide) before dying.
  
  Advice:
  Never use gas ovens to heat up the house, the camping BBQ stations inside (in fact, they are thought to be used in open air), generators in basements or closed spaces, and do not keep automobiles on in closed environments.

• Particular matter intoxication

  Ions made of secondary particulate matters’ sulfate and nitrate cause asthma due to bronchoconstriction and immune system weakening. Among the illnesses caused by fine and ultra-fine particulate matter (PM 10 and mostly PM 2.5) stand out acute and chronical respiratory (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, allergy, tumors) and cardio-circulatory (worsening of symptoms in predisposed subjects) systems’ pathologies.
  
  Much attention must be paid towards elderly people, those affected by cardio-circulatory and pulmonary diseases, newborn babies and children (especially those affected by bronchial crisis, cough and mucus).
  
  Advice:
  • To avoid fine dust to get indoors: close the cracks between the masonry and the roller shutter case, masonry and window edges (i.e. silicones, acrylic or similar sealants for wall finishing), check the window shutters’ gaskets, seal the glass to the window’s structure.
  • Air out with cleaned air rooms during the early hours of the day, when the PM10 concentration is the lowest. In case of uncleaned air, filter it through an HEPA filter using a ventilator (also known as air purifying).
  • Consider the purchasing of certified HEPA filters for garages, which guarantee a real protection from fine dust.

• Formaldehyde intoxication

  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declares it as carcinogenic for human beings (leukemia, nasopharynx cancer).
  
  Advice:
  • Limit the use of paints, glues, insulation foams, floor and wood flooring treatments and finishing;
  • Limit the purchasing of products made of plywood, pressed wood, chipboard, and medium density fiberboards (MDF);
  • Keep chimneys and stoves cleaned, do not burn old furniture or other use wood but aged firewood only;
  • Limit the use of treated paper, wallpaper, cardboard;
  • Limit the purchase of printed window treatments;
  • Avoid the gas emissions to get indoors (i.e.: from lawnmowers to garden plows);
  • Chose natural and solid wood furniture;
  • Limit the tobacco smoke;
  • Control the cosmetics’ composition we use;
  • Keep windows opened when painting the house walls or in case of paints’ use (or use eco-friendly paints);
  • Unwrap the new pressed wood furniture and let it air out before bringing it indoors;
  • Regularly air the house out;
  • Keep plants indoors to make the air more respirable;
  • Limit the use of treated garments to erase folds and make seem them “naturally” ironed.