Setting the Record Straight — Busting Myths on Air Purifiers
Air pollution calls out trouble. The whole world is covered up by the sheath of air pollution. Therefore, it is one of the prime causes of death globally. Hence, it creates an alarming situation all over the world, especially for a developing nation like India. According to the worldwide survey of 2020, India ranked 3rd out of 106 countries globally with an average PM 2.5 figure recorded as 51.90µg/M³.
Air pollution consists of chemical and harmful particles in the air such as gases, particulate matter (PM), etc., and thus has a serious toxic impact on the health of humans, animals as well as plants. People exposed to air pollution experience a wide range of health problems, thus increasing the risk of infections, short-term and long-term diseases. Such health hazards are usually caused by outdoor and indoor pollution.
To minimize the risk of health problems due to air pollution, people are trying to minimize indoor pollution. It has become possible and easier to minimize indoor pollution with the help of a new technology which is, air purifier. It purifies the indoor air by killing all harmful particles and provides us clean air to breathe. The demand for air purifiers is increasing in today’s scenario, with that, we even see multiple myths about air purifiers that have gained acceptance.
Myth 1: Air purifier removes odor only
Air purifiers do not only remove the odor but rather improves the air quality, by purifying it. Many filters within it help to get rid of harmful particles by trapping them and throwing clean air.
Myth 2: Air purifiers reduce immunity
Using air purifiers protects us against harmful pollutants by reducing the exposure of lungs to these pollutants. Thus, it boosts human immunity rather than reducing it.
Myth 3: An air conditioner is the same as an air purifier
The air conditioner and air purifier have two different functioning. AC circulates the same air and does not have the technology to remove the pollutants whereas a purifier eliminates harmful particles and odor.
Myth 4: Air purifiers are of no use as there is no pollution indoors
Indoor pollution can be 2–5 times that of outdoor pollution but still, people believe that there is no indoor pollution. The outdoor pollutants enter the houses and get trapped due to low circulation. There are indoor sources as well that generate such pollutants, so it is necessary to have an air purifier at homes and offices.
Myth 5: No need for regular cleaning, if one has an air purifier
Few air purifiers remove the dust but not completely, therefore, it is necessary to do the basic cleaning of the houses and offices regularly.
The current pandemic outbreak had heightened people’s interest in clean air and the importance of being healthy and immune. Nowadays, people are becoming health conscious due to which air purifiers are gradually becoming a necessity. Hence, before owning an air purifier one should have good knowledge about it.
