Breathing in Delhi-NCR has become increasingly difficult due to rising pollution levels, causing health issues like suffocation, burning eyes, and skin irritation. To combat this toxic air, many are turning to air purifiers in hopes of ensuring cleaner air inside their homes. If one is considering buying an air purifier or wondering how effective they are, here’s what a WHO expert has to say about their benefits.
According to Dr. Gopichand Khilnani, a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Global Air Pollution and Global Health, and a well-known pulmonary expert from Delhi, large air purifiers are already being installed in offices and companies in India to combat pollution. However, the trend of installing them in homes has also increased. Much like air conditioners in summer, air purifiers have become a necessity as soon as September-October arrives.
There is no concrete scientific evidence on the exact impact of air purifiers on air purity or whether they significantly improve the Air Quality Index (AQI). However, claims about their technology suggest they work, and the built-in monitors often show that after running for some time, the AQI in a room drops from 200 to 50 or lower. This indicates that air purifiers do improve the air quality in that space.
Air purifiers work similarly to air conditioners. Just as a larger AC is needed for a bigger room, the effectiveness of air purification also depends on the purifier’s capacity.
Speaking on how long air purifiers should be used, Dr. GC Khilnani emphasized that many people mistakenly run the air purifier for one or two hours and then turn it off assuming that the air has become clean. Similarly, some users switch it on only when they enter the room and turn it off when they leave, similar to operating an AC or a fan. However, the doctor said that this approach is incorrect.
For optimal results, it is essential to keep the air purifier running 24 hours a day and not just when one is in the room. This will only ensure that the air is clean.
If one has an air purifier installed at home, it is important to stay indoors as much as possible, throughout the day. During this time, all doors and windows should be kept completely closed, as even a small amount of outdoor pollution can reduce the purifier’s effectiveness.
When stepping outside, one has to wear an N-95 mask, though it is important to note that even these masks do not offer complete protection from pollution.
Dr. Khilnani mentioned that air purifiers can be beneficial to some extent for the elderly and those suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other health issues. However, one has to spend most of their time in the purified environment.
The doctor also suggested that every window and every door should be closed at all times while operating the air purifier. Opening and closing them intermittently allows polluted air to enter, rendering the purifier ineffective.
For those who feel suffocated and cannot sleep without opening a window, air purifiers are unlikely to be effective. In such cases, the doctor said that it is better not to use them.
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