Virtual Booth

Abstract: Refrigerators play a crucial role in preserving perishable goods such as food, vaccines, and
biological materials. However, many users are unaware of temperature fluctuations that may
compromise the safety and integrity of stored items. Studies have shown that foodborne pathogens such
as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. can thrive under mildly abusive refrigeration conditions,
leading to serious health risks. In medical settings, even slight temperature deviations in vaccine storage
can lead to compromised efficacy, potentially triggering widespread health emergencies. Despite 87.2%
of users being aware of the optimal temperature range (1°C to 5°C), few regularly monitor refrigerator
performance or are equipped to detect malfunctions in real-time. To address this issue, a real-time
monitoring system, FrostAlert, was developed. FrostAlert uses a DHT-22 temperature sensor and an
ESP-32 microcontroller to continuously collect and analyze temperature data. When the internal
temperature exceeds or falls below the predefined threshold of −10°C to 10°C, the system sends
automated alerts to users via Gmail—chosen for its widespread accessibility and ease of integration. A
user-friendly web interface was developed to display sensor readings, track anomalies, and record alert
history. Experimental results demonstrated that FrostAlert reliably detects temperature abnormalities
and notifies users within one minute, minimizing the risk of damage or contamination. With its low cost,
ease of deployment, and adaptability to both domestic and medical settings, FrostAlert presents strong
commercialization potential for households, vaccine storage centers, cold-chain logistics, and food
safety management. This system represents a proactive, scalable solution to a long-standing safety
challenge in cold storage environments.