What is one primary reason for monitoring air quality in confined spaces?

Monitoring air quality in confined spaces is crucial primarily to detect potential toxic gases. Enclosed areas can accumulate hazardous substances that may not be visible, making it vital for workers' safety to regularly check for harmful contaminants like carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, or volatile organic compounds. These gases can be lethal even at low concentrations and can build up quickly in confined environments, leading to decreased oxygen levels or toxic atmospheres that pose serious health risks to workers.

While monitoring humidity levels, temperatures, and structural integrity are also important aspects of ensuring safety in confined spaces, they do not directly address the immediate and potentially life-threatening risks associated with toxic gases. Thus, detecting these hazardous substances is the primary reason for air quality monitoring in such settings.