Hackers Build a Literal Anti-Virus at Security Conference
▼ Summary
– Elevated CO2 levels reduce cognitive ability and increase airborne virus transmission in poorly ventilated spaces.
– Kawaiicon organizers faced challenges managing air quality during disease outbreaks due to venue limitations and outdated HVAC systems.
– The conference deployed DIY CO2 monitors from Adafruit to track air quality in real-time across multiple event spaces.
– Organizers collaborated with University of Otago researchers and strategically placed monitors at breathing height throughout the venue.
– The project demonstrated how accessible technology enables communities to monitor their own public health needs during events.
Elevated carbon dioxide levels not only reduce cognitive function but also create an environment where airborne viruses can thrive for extended periods. The connection between CO2 and pathogen transmission means that monitoring indoor air quality offers a practical method for assessing infection risks. Organizers of the Kawaiicon security conference confronted this reality head-on while planning a large gathering during ongoing outbreaks of measles, COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Many event planners share this struggle, facing significant public health shortcomings and having little influence over the air purification standards of their chosen venues.
The Michael Fowler Centre, where Kawaiicon took place, operates with a single HVAC system equipped with Farr 30/30 filters rated MERV-8. While this filtration level is common in residential settings due to its affordability, it presented limitations for the conference. Organizers noted that the older building’s infrastructure restricted their ability to manage airflow effectively, highlighting one of the biggest hurdles in ensuring attendee safety.
Approximately one month before the event, the team initiated a proactive solution by deploying thirteen DIY CO2 monitors. These devices, based on an Adafruit Industries RGB Matrix Portal design, provided real-time carbon dioxide readings through an online dashboard. The system tracked daily peaks and troughs, offering clear visibility into air quality trends across different spaces. Kawaiicon collaborated with public health researchers from the University of Otago to validate the monitoring approach.
Adafruit founder and engineer Limor “Ladyada” Fried expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s fantastic to see people gaining new skills and truly grasping how we measure and monitor air quality in real-world situations. During a measles outbreak, hackers and makers can achieve self-reliance in meeting their public health information needs.” Complete technical specifications for the Kawaiicon build are available in a public GitHub repository.
The Michael Fowler Centre’s architecture, characterized by Scandinavian brutalism and intricate woodwork, includes impressive carved Māori pou at the entrance and cathedral-like acoustics. These features complicated the placement of air quality sensors. The team addressed the challenge by installing monitors in stereo configuration, two on each level of the Main Auditorium, two in the Renouf session area, and additional units in the daycare, Kuracon children’s conference, Quiet Room, Registration Desk, and Green Room.
A Kawaiicon representative known online as Sput explained the considerations behind monitor placement: “We focused on health, safety, and effective positioning, keeping sensors at breathing height, using multiple units for larger areas, and avoiding locations near windows or doors.” Sput added that addressing air quality is comparable to providing other accessibility measures, such as venue access or private spaces. “Our tech-oriented community makes it easier to implement these setups independently or with volunteers, especially given how accessible CO2 monitoring technology has become.”
(Source: Wired)
