The Correct Solution to the Growing Problem of Air Pollution
Air Pollution has been part of the headlines in recent times, with many Indian cities getting top honors in the list of ‘world’s most polluted cities’. Growing number of diesel cars and rampant construction has added to the existing problem of pollution. Lack of norms and major initiatives by the Government agencies has left the people gasping for quality air. The major impact of all this has happened to the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as the same polluted air gets further polluted in closed indoors where we spend close to 80 percent of our time. Now that’s a point very few talk about, as they consider pollution being outside as the only issue. But WHO has pointed out that the indoors are 20 times more polluted than outdoors.
Increasing rate of problems such as chronic obstructive lung disorder (COPD), Asthma, Flu/Viral and even lung cancer have been found in small children and adults who are mostly inbound, establishes the claim of how harmful is the Indoor Air Pollution.
A few solutions can be:
• Filtered Ventilation systems
• Plants that can help purify the air
• Air Purifiers with HEPA & other related technologies
Using an air purifier is one affordable solution, which can be used as a good precaution measure. Air purifiers are available from Rs.5,000-90,000, so the question arises – ‘How to choose the right product?’
Air purifier industry is growing at a CAGR of more than 50 percent year on year, which is phenomenal. The peak season of pollution happens to be around Diwali and Winters, which is why there are many new companies coming in the market on a seasonal basis who are not dedicated to this product throughout the year with a long term vision and just add inventory for this division during the season. The consumer needs to be careful as they may face serious after sales issues with spares and service support.
Most of the foreign products are made for their principle market, and Indian market is very new and still developing. Hence, a lot of the products are not even made keeping the requirements of our environment and just imported as it is, branded and sold.
When it comes to air purifiers, it becomes all the more important as you are buying a filtration process, a technology to help you breathe good air. Very few companies are making a product as per the Indian Pollution Environment.
Air purifiers should definitely be having a High Efficiency Particulate Filter (HEPA). One should compare this physically as many companies offer lower quality material, and not all brands are giving the same quality in HEPA. HEPA filters cannot be washed and need to be changed, as they get choked. Hence a machine having only a HEPA filter is not the most ideal buy as you would be replacing filters very often in high polluted Indian environment.
Having a Pre-Filter or a Dust Collector Filter which is washable makes good sense. Most air purifiers will also employ a Charcoal (Carbon) Filter to reduce the foul smell in the room. Some air purifiers also use UV as a filter to suppress growth of micro-organisms and eradicate germs, mold, and bacteria such as coli bacillus and virus.
About air purifiers with Ionizer, there is a big myth being spread around that all Ionizers produce Ozone, where as experts with scientific knowledge have written various white papers on the benefits of negative ions.
The human body is surrounded by ions; therefore, the function of electrons inside and outside the cells has significant influence on the human body. It makes the body strong if good ions are taken. When the amount of negative electric ions in one CC of air inhaled reaches 5,000 to 50,000, it strengthens the body's resistance and immunity; between 100,000 to 500,000, it relieves illnesses.
85 percent of the negative electric ions are absorbed from our skin; only 15 percent is inhaled and absorbed through our lungs. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.
That’s why elders and even doctors would advice us on a change of environment (like hills, waterfalls or beaches) to recover from any ailments, and even today, doctors’ advise us on early morning walk in the park so that we can get fresh air to help boost our energy and immunity.
You will see that baring one or two companies all are giving this technology with different names like Plasmacluster Ions, Nano-e, iCluster, streamer discharge technology, and others. So the fact that this technology is having huge benefits and therefore becomes important is what needs to be established and people’s wrong notions need to be corrected by imparting correct information.
There is always a difference when a low-grade product is made just to keep the price low and a product with quality that is made with intent to solve a problem. Even the sentiment; High price=Quality is not always right. But if the difference is substantial, the end customer should always compare and buy a product, which is made for our type of conditions, since we are going to use it in India.
Even the sentiment; High price=Quality is not always right. But if the difference is substantial, the end customer should always compare and buy a product
Air purifiers should definitely be having a High Efficiency Particulate Filter (HEPA). One should compare this physically as many companies offer lower quality material, and not all brands are giving the same quality in HEPA. HEPA filters cannot be washed and need to be changed, as they get choked. Hence a machine having only a HEPA filter is not the most ideal buy as you would be replacing filters very often in high polluted Indian environment.
Having a Pre-Filter or a Dust Collector Filter which is washable makes good sense. Most air purifiers will also employ a Charcoal (Carbon) Filter to reduce the foul smell in the room. Some air purifiers also use UV as a filter to suppress growth of micro-organisms and eradicate germs, mold, and bacteria such as coli bacillus and virus.
About air purifiers with Ionizer, there is a big myth being spread around that all Ionizers produce Ozone, where as experts with scientific knowledge have written various white papers on the benefits of negative ions.
The human body is surrounded by ions; therefore, the function of electrons inside and outside the cells has significant influence on the human body. It makes the body strong if good ions are taken. When the amount of negative electric ions in one CC of air inhaled reaches 5,000 to 50,000, it strengthens the body's resistance and immunity; between 100,000 to 500,000, it relieves illnesses.
85 percent of the negative electric ions are absorbed from our skin; only 15 percent is inhaled and absorbed through our lungs. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.
That’s why elders and even doctors would advice us on a change of environment (like hills, waterfalls or beaches) to recover from any ailments, and even today, doctors’ advise us on early morning walk in the park so that we can get fresh air to help boost our energy and immunity.
You will see that baring one or two companies all are giving this technology with different names like Plasmacluster Ions, Nano-e, iCluster, streamer discharge technology, and others. So the fact that this technology is having huge benefits and therefore becomes important is what needs to be established and people’s wrong notions need to be corrected by imparting correct information.
There is always a difference when a low-grade product is made just to keep the price low and a product with quality that is made with intent to solve a problem. Even the sentiment; High price=Quality is not always right. But if the difference is substantial, the end customer should always compare and buy a product, which is made for our type of conditions, since we are going to use it in India.
