Amazon has unveiled a connected home air quality monitor that works with the Alexa virtual assistant.

The monitor can measure particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, humidity and temperature. 

The device doesn’t have its own microphone, so it connects to an Alexa-enabled device or the Alexa app to provide alerts if air quality is poor. Users can also check an air quality score in the app.

The monitor is available for preorder now, but it won’t ship until early December.

WHY IT MATTERS

Poor indoor air quality can have an effect on health, causing eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The EPA reports indoor air pollution can also contribute to more serious conditions, like heart disease and respiratory conditions. Some pollutants can also trigger asthma attacks, and carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal.

THE LARGER TREND

Tech giant Amazon has been pushing its way into healthcare and health tracking, including products using its Alexa-connected devices.

In late September, Amazon announced Alexa Together, a subscription service that would allow caregivers to remotely monitor and assist aging family members in their homes.

The company also expanded Alexa Smart Properties to senior living facilities and health systems, letting providers use Alexa at scale in their facilities for communicating with patients and delivering community-wide announcements. 

The latest version of Amazon’s health tracking wearable, the Halo View, was also announced in September alongside virtual fitness classes and a meal planning service.