Delhi's air quality returned back to the 'very poor' category, with many experts urging people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities. Besides the use of N95 masks, doctors also recommend investing in good-quality air purifiers, which don't come cheap. So before you burn a hole in your pocket, we asked two leading experts to shed light on whether air purifiers really work and if one should invest in them.
Role Of Air Purifiers And Do They Really Work?
Air pollution can be divided into two categories: indoor and outdoor air pollution. While indoor air pollution arises from sources within enclosed spaces, like cooking and cleaning products, tobacco smoke, radon, and mould spores, outdoor air pollution stems from industrial activities and emissions from vehicles, which affect open spaces.
According to Dr Sameer Nanaware, Consultant Pulmonologist, SRV Hospitals, Chembur, air purifiers can help reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne allergens. The one’s equipped with activated carbon filters are known to help reduce smoke and odours from sources, such as tobacco smoke or cooking, he added.
Also Read: Did You Know That Air Pollution Can Trigger Heart Attacks? Expert Answers
Technically, air purifiers work by drawing in air through a series of filters that trap and capture particles like dust, pollen, and pollutants.
HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are the filters used to trap fine particles, while some purifiers may include additional technologies like UV light or activated carbon to neutralise odours and kill bacteria or viruses in the air.
Of the many types of air purifiers, the best are those with HEPA filters and those that generate oxygen-free radicals, or ozone, as ozone can irritate the aerodigestive mucosa and cause low-grade inflammation, leading to symptoms like cough, chest tightness, breathlessness, and wheezing, said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, Consultant-Pulmonary Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield.
A study published in the Yonsei Medical Journal found that the use of air purifiers with HEPA filters significantly reduced medication requirements for patients with allergic rhinitis and significantly lowered indoor PM2.5 concentrations.
Factors That Affect Effectiveness
The effectiveness of air purifiers depends on several factors, which include:
- Type of filter
- Size of the room
- Clean air delivery rate - the higher, the better
- Air changes per hour
- Ventilation
- Regular maintenance of the equipment
- Humidity content
Dr Chaurasia said, “No air purifier can eliminate all pollutants, so it's essential to combine its use with other good indoor air quality practices.”
Why Maintenance Is Crucial
All electronic devices need regular maintenance. Similarly, air purifiers also require active maintenance, including filter replacement and cleaning, for optimal performance, said Dr Nanaware.
“Neglecting maintenance can diminish the effectiveness of the device or may become more harmful by becoming a source of harmful bacteria and viruses,” he added.
According to Dr Chaurasia, effective air purifiers have a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and also provide certain advantages, including:
- Improved indoor air quality
- Reduction in airborne particles, benefiting individuals with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions
- Elimination of odours, creating a fresher and more pleasant living space
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced risk of respiratory issues
The Verdict
Air purifiers are beneficial in improving indoor air quality by removing pollutants such as dust, allergens, and some airborne particles. However, they are not a complete solution for all air quality issues, especially in outdoor environments, said Dr Nanaware. For individuals with moderate to severe lung diseases and post-lung transplant recipients, it is recommended to make use of N95 masks, the doctor concluded.
