The air quality is severe in most cities in North India. Very poor, if we get lucky on some days. Our cities are enveloped in dense smog, a deadly concoction of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other pollutants. The sunshine barely filters through. Burning sensation in the eyes and lungs betraying a heaviness with every breath outdoors. Little does a human body care about numbers that define air quality index (AQI). Unfortunately, the insides of our homes and workplaces aren’t shielded from reality of our outdoors.
The question many are asking, is it possible to pollution proof your home? Air purifiers provide a straightforward answer to this conundrum, something a greater number of citizens are trying to tackle. There is also a second method, which is filtered ventilation and these are customisable, often expensive solutions that run air from outside through a filter before circulating that indoors, which experts talk to HT about.
An air purifier, depending on a configuration you’ve purchased, will have a series of filters including a pre-filter for larger particles, a HEPA or high-efficiency particulate arrestance filter for smaller pollutants, and activated carbon for airborne bacteria and volatile compounds. The room’s air is pulled in by the fans, and it passes through these layers of filters which capture pollutants, particulate and allergens, before the cleaned air is blown back into the room.
“Of course, air purification is the solution. Absolutely, it is possible to pollution Proof Your Home to a 95% extent,” Barun Aggarwal, CEO and founder of air quality experts BreatheEasy Consultants, and author of How to Grow Fresh Air. He clarifies that when he references that figure of 95%, he’s factoring in the times when windows or doors in a home will open, or cleaning will take place. “At those times all bets off, especially when outdoor readings are as high as they are” he says.