AQI Decoded: The Role of Air Purifiers in Cleaner Living

AQI

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a standardized measure used to evaluate and convey the air quality of a specific location. It provides the public with a clear understanding of pollution levels and their potential health implications. The index ranges from 0 to 500, with lower values indicating superior air quality and higher values reflecting deteriorating air conditions.

CLASSIFICATION–
0-50 -good (green)- air quality is satisfactory
51-100-moderate (yellow)- air quality is acceptable
101-150- (orange)- unhealthy for sensitive groups
151-200-(red)-unhealthy – everyone may begin to experience health effects, sensitive groups may
experience more serious health effects.
201-300-(purple)-very unhealthy-everyone may experience more serious health effects .
301-500-(maroon)-hazardous-the entire population is most likely affected .emergency health
warning

How to check AQI
Use of air quality portable monitor to check aqi at home
Use of an AQI app: app on the phone can help you know about aqi .the EPA’S AirNow app is very
reliable
Use of google maps to see the sir pollution level near you and if any precautions are needed..

Role of Air Purifiers :

Removal of allergens-they can reduce allergens such as dust mite ,pet danger ,mold spores and
pollen.Reduction of airborne diseases-air purifiers with HEPA filters ,can trap bacteria and viruses helping
to decrease the spread of airborne diseases.Elimination of odours-many air purifiers use activated carbon filters to absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors from cooking,pets,smoke or chemicals.
Filtration of particulate matter-HEPA filters are designed to capture fine particles including
smoke,smog and other particulate matter. Removal of volatile organic compounds -Purifiers can reduce levels of vocs ,emitted from common household products,paints and furnishings contributing to healthier indoor environment . Support of respiratory health-Purifiers can help to improve respiratory functions ,reduce symptom of asthma , and diminish overall health risks associated with poor aur quality.

Creation of comfortable environment -clean air can enhance the overall comfort of a living space
leading to better productivity ,focus and well being.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN AIR PURIFIER
Because of so much of variety available in the market,it can get overwhelming to decide on what air
purifier to buy
Here are few tips to help you with that:

Understand your needs
Firstly identify why do you need an air purifier.

Allergies or asthma :look for HEPA filters that captures allergens like pollen, dust and pet dander.

Odour removal:look for activated carbon filters to eliminate odour from smoke, pets or cooking.

City with smog living :look for advanced filteration system that remove fine particles if you are dealing with
pollution or smog .

Size of your space
Measure the square footage of the room where you will use the air purifier and check the
CADR(clean air delivery rate).The CADR of your aur cleaner should be atleast 2/3 of your room area .for eg- 120 square footshould have an air purifier of atleast 80 CADR. A higher CADR means it can clean the air more quickly and in a larger area .

Consider noise levels
Check noise level if yoy plan to use the air purifier in your bedroom or office.
Check its noise level especially at night mode or lower speed so that it doesn’t interrupt your sleep
or work.

Read Our Blogs: Step to Improve Air Quality Around You: vertical garden

Energy efficiency and maintenance
Look for models with Energy Star ratings to save on electricity bills as they run for several
long hours.The cost and frequency of filter replacements should be minimal , as this can add to your
long-term expenses.

Modern air purifiers offer smart features like:

• Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Displays live updates on indoor air quality for continuous assessment.
• Smartphone App Integration: Enables remote operation and monitoring through a dedicated mobile app.
• Adaptive Automatic Settings: Adjusts functionality automatically based on the current air quality for optimal results.

While these advanced features offer convenience and enhanced control, cost-effective basic models can still provide reliable and efficient performance for those on a budget.

Also Read: Air Quality Index