Final answer:
The influence of humidity on NDIR CO2 measurements is significant as high humidity can introduce errors by overestimating CO2 concentrations due to water vapor interference with infrared light absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of humidity on NDIR CO2 measurements is an important consideration as it can affect the accuracy of the readings. Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensors are widely used to measure carbon dioxide levels, and their performance can be impacted by the presence of water vapor in the air. When we discuss humidity in this context, we are referring to relative humidity, which is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount that the air can hold at a given temperature.
High relative humidity means that the air contains a high level of water vapor, which can lead to an overestimation of CO2 concentrations by NDIR sensors. This is because water vapor can absorb infrared light in a manner similar to CO2, causing interference in the measurement process. Adjusting for humidity is thus crucial, as it allows for more accurate determination of CO2 levels by correcting for the water vapor interference.
To ensure greater accuracy, some NDIR CO2 sensors may use dual wavelengths and account for the humidity effect, while others may require manual adjustments or calibration to mitigate the influence of high humidity levels.