Can air purifiers cut pollution?
Air purifiers saw a steep surge in sales both in residences and office premises to counter the problem that intensified this chilly season. Is the device worth investing in to keep environmental contamination at bay? Pulmonologists weigh in

Patients with severe lung diseases and acute allergic reactions may mainly receive the benefits of an air purifier but the jury is still out there. There is no clear evidence about the mechanism’s absolute efficacy,” claims Dr. Saradhi.(Image: DC)
The function of an air purifier is to filter out pollutants from the atmospheric air to improve its quality in indoor spaces. The device aids in lowering health hazards induced by air pollution.
To keep your homes and workplaces safe, healthy and almost germ-free, air filters or cleaners are promoted to be a perfect solution. The machines reportedly can eliminate impurities floating in the air inside a room or other enclosed areas to enhance the surrounding air quality and benefit those who are infected with dust allergies and asthmatic diseases. Passive smokers can gain much relief from the ambient air purged of second-hand tobacco fumes.
Fresh Air Intake
Given India’s high rate of environmental pollution, is it then a wise idea to buy and install air purifiers at home or on office premises? Do lung specialists agree that the electrical appliance improves the air quality in the interiors? “No doubt, it is a smart investment, especially in covered regions with high levels of air pollution,” confirms Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.
“Air purifiers can effectively upgrade the indoor air quality by expelling harmful pollutants like particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxins that are often present in untidy urban spaces. Regular use of air purifiers can create a healthier indoor environment, especially in geographical zones where outdoor air quality is poor,” he adds.
Citing the topic to be controversial, Dr. Pillarisetti Naveen Saradhi, consultant pediatric pulmonologist at Rainbow Children's Hospitals (Hyderabad), informs: “There are multiple types of air purifiers. The most common ones are standalone domestic home air sanitisers with a wide variety available in the market. The other category is the industrial gadget built into commercial AC or HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning: regulate temperature, humidity and air quality ).”
The air-refining apparatus sucks up the dirty air and lets it pass through multiple filters before the cleaner air (distilled of airborne microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses) gets released into the environment. This leaves a positive impact on the human lungs.
“It is important to first understand whether a person needs an air purifier or not because it solely depends on his prevalent clinical situation and the medical need he requires, be it in case of a child or an adult,” reminds Dr. Saradhi.
Okay for Mass Assembly
It is often probed if it is okay to install air purifiers for a large public gathering like concerts or at social functions. Can this reduce carbon footprints?
“Installing air purifiers in a large crowded space can definitely improve the existent air quality by eradicating smoke, dust and offensive smells, thereby creating a healthier environment. However, their impact on the carbon footprint is minimal since purifiers primarily mend the air quality but do not curtail the greenhouse gas emissions that affect the environment at large,” reports Dr. Ladhani.
A Puff of Fag Smoke
A potent query to ponder is whether air purifiers can filter out tobacco smoke issued from cigarettes containing the addictive drug of nicotine. Does this save others present from passive smoking?
Dr. Ladhani’s views: “Yes, air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters can capture tobacco smoke particles as well as absorb foul smells or stinks. This certainly reduces passive smoking risks by diminishing massive exposure to harmful chemicals, though the system cannot reject all toxic compounds.”
To keep your homes and workplaces safe, healthy and almost germ-free, air filters or cleaners are promoted to be a perfect solution. The machines reportedly can eliminate impurities floating in the air inside a room or other enclosed areas to enhance the surrounding air quality and benefit those who are infected with dust allergies and asthmatic diseases. Passive smokers can gain much relief from the ambient air purged of second-hand tobacco fumes.
Fresh Air Intake
Given India’s high rate of environmental pollution, is it then a wise idea to buy and install air purifiers at home or on office premises? Do lung specialists agree that the electrical appliance improves the air quality in the interiors? “No doubt, it is a smart investment, especially in covered regions with high levels of air pollution,” confirms Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, pulmonologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.
“Air purifiers can effectively upgrade the indoor air quality by expelling harmful pollutants like particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxins that are often present in untidy urban spaces. Regular use of air purifiers can create a healthier indoor environment, especially in geographical zones where outdoor air quality is poor,” he adds.
Citing the topic to be controversial, Dr. Pillarisetti Naveen Saradhi, consultant pediatric pulmonologist at Rainbow Children's Hospitals (Hyderabad), informs: “There are multiple types of air purifiers. The most common ones are standalone domestic home air sanitisers with a wide variety available in the market. The other category is the industrial gadget built into commercial AC or HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning: regulate temperature, humidity and air quality ).”
The air-refining apparatus sucks up the dirty air and lets it pass through multiple filters before the cleaner air (distilled of airborne microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses) gets released into the environment. This leaves a positive impact on the human lungs.
“It is important to first understand whether a person needs an air purifier or not because it solely depends on his prevalent clinical situation and the medical need he requires, be it in case of a child or an adult,” reminds Dr. Saradhi.
Okay for Mass Assembly
It is often probed if it is okay to install air purifiers for a large public gathering like concerts or at social functions. Can this reduce carbon footprints?
“Installing air purifiers in a large crowded space can definitely improve the existent air quality by eradicating smoke, dust and offensive smells, thereby creating a healthier environment. However, their impact on the carbon footprint is minimal since purifiers primarily mend the air quality but do not curtail the greenhouse gas emissions that affect the environment at large,” reports Dr. Ladhani.
A Puff of Fag Smoke
A potent query to ponder is whether air purifiers can filter out tobacco smoke issued from cigarettes containing the addictive drug of nicotine. Does this save others present from passive smoking?
Dr. Ladhani’s views: “Yes, air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters can capture tobacco smoke particles as well as absorb foul smells or stinks. This certainly reduces passive smoking risks by diminishing massive exposure to harmful chemicals, though the system cannot reject all toxic compounds.”
Air purifiers remove certain pollutants from air to make it healthy and breathable:
Air filters get rid of the particulate matter and noxious substances from the environment. There are specific filters, which sit on top of the bed space clearing the immediate air around the patients’ body, especially the head area. They can effectively remove various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), dust, pollen, mould spores, bacteria, viruses, smoke particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and gaseous pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. By driving out these harmful substances, air purifiers create a healthier indoor environment, significantly slashing the risk of respiratory diseases and improving the overall air quality.
Filters used for air cleaning
Hepa Filters: High- Efficiency Particulate Air that captures finer particles like dust, pollen and allergens
Activated Carbon Filters: Absorb gases, odours and VOCs
Pre-Filters: They trap larger particles, such as hair and dust
UV (ultraviolet) Light Filters: They kill bacteria and viruses
People who benefit from using air purifiers:
Air purifiers benefit a wide range of individuals, including children and elderly individuals with weaker immune systems, people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma or COPD, and allergy sufferers. They also provide a safer breathing environment for pregnant women as well as improve the air quality for office staff exposed to poor indoor conditions.
Air purifiers benefit a wide range of individuals, including children and elderly individuals with weaker immune systems, people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma or COPD, and allergy sufferers. They also provide a safer breathing environment for pregnant women as well as improve the air quality for office staff exposed to poor indoor conditions.
Patients with severe lung diseases and acute allergic reactions may mainly receive the benefits of an air purifier but the jury is still out there. There is no clear evidence about the mechanism’s absolute efficacy,” claims Dr. Saradhi.
People with specific conditions or ailments may heave a sigh of relief, thanks to using a purifier:
Asthma: Offsets triggers like dust mites, mold and pet dander.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder): Minimises exposure to pollutants that can worsen symptoms.
Allergies: Decreases allergens like pollen and dust
Sinusitis: Lowers irritation from airborne particles
Cardiovascular Diseases: Improves air quality to reduce strain on the heart
Nevertheless, people working in well ventilated commercial spaces do not actually need air filters. Employees at neat, healthy workstations with serviced air conditioning would not need air purifiers either,” notes Dr. Saradhi
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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