Should you get an air purifier?

The AQI in Andheri, Mumbai, was 205 in the first week of November. In Delhi, it had touched a high of 450. So getting an air purifier even if you stay indoors may help.

During the winter, the air quality in North India and several other regions of India is terrible. Being cognizant of this is essential as air pollution kills over 6.5 million people globally every year, according to a May 2022 study in the Lancet.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) calculates the amount of air pollution. The six categories include Good (0–50), Satisfactory (50–100), Moderately Polluted (100–200), Poor (200–300), Very Poor(300–400), and Severe (400-500). On November 3, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) spiked to 450. Given their weakened lung capacity, seniors should exercise additional caution in such circumstances. An air purifier could be required even if they decide to stay indoors, as indoor air pollution can also be worrisome. 

  According to the SAFAR projection (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), Delhi's air quality will stay "extremely poor" for several days.  According to Dr. G.C. Khilnani, Chairman of Pulmonology, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at PSRI Hospital in Delhi, this danger causes cancers of all organs, heart disease, and strokes.  

"Besides a general sense of ill health, headaches, low energy, sleep difficulties, and decreased appetite all impact our daily lives. It is also critical to limit your exposure by exercising restraint, "he said. 

Even if you avoid stepping out much, your home, with its many pollutants, may not have as pristine air as you think. Getting an air purifier may easy the problem to some extent.

Here's what to keep in mind when looking for an air purifier.

What to buy: The most widely used are mechanical air purifiers with HEPA ((High-Efficiency Particulate Air)) filters. Advantage? They don't emit ozone and remove particulate matter. 

A carbon-filter-equipped air purifier will also catch gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by common household cleaning agents and paints.

An air purifier with an air-quality sensor will activate when pollutants are detected, and it will frequently offer information about the air quality in the room. Additionally, a small air purifier sends detailed reports immediately to your smartphone.

Remember, though, that an air purifier can only remove a portion of the interior particle matter, not dust particles that have settled on the surface. Therefore, air purifiers cannot remove harmful and polluting gases either.

What to remember when you buy: When selecting an air purifier, one of the most crucial considerations is the area it will cover. Small air purifiers are designed for 299 square feet sized spaces. Air purifiers in the medium size cover 300 to 699 square feet (about 65 m2), while large ones cover 700 to 1,900 square feet. 

The noise level is another crucial aspect to consider. If an air purifier is very loud, it is usually of poor quality and best avoided.

What to avoid: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against purchasing ozone-emitting air purifiers. These include plasma air purifiers, ionisers, electrostatic precipitators, and UV air purifiers.

Do you use an air purifier? What would your advice be for someone buying it for the first time?