One in every nine deaths annually, with almost two-thirds of those deaths in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia is due to air pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In India, the quality of air is depleting every day due to the intensifying level of pollution. The country is home to 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world causing some 1.1 million premature deaths in 2015 by dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In Delhi alone, the annual mean PM2.5 levels are 12.2 times higher than the WHO prescribed safe level (i.e.10 microgram per cubic metre) and 3 times the annual national standard (i.e.40 microgram per cubic metre).

The air inside the typical home is usually dirtier than the air outdoors, because a house can be a source of air contaminants. Exposure is particularly high among women and young children, who spend the maximum time at home. The two major pollutants, PM (particulate matter) 10 – like dust, soot and pollen and PM 2.5 degrade the indoor air quality (IAQ) causing serious health implications in the long-term. Measuring less than 2.5 microns, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) can enter the bloodstream and settle in the lungs, which can lead to cancer of larynx, nasopharynx, lung, and leukaemia, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses like acute respiratory tract infection and COPD.

As people spend more than 80% of their time indoors, reducing the level of contaminants will improve the quality of air indoors. A few simple ways to reduce indoor air irritants can be:

•Thorough vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner that uses HEPA filtration
•Filtered ventilation systems
•Keep plants like Peace Lily, Money & Spider that removes chemicals

While these are basic, an Air Purifier can be an effective solution to combat indoor air pollution. Using an Air Purifier will help alleviate the negative effects of breathing air pollutants. Depending on the brand, quality and technology these devices are priced between Rs 5000 to Rs 90000.

The demand for Air Purifiers in India is primarily generated from the commercial sector, but due to the increasing health

problems in the country, the demand from residential sector is rising and further expected to spike. It is estimated that India’s Air Purifiers market will grow at the CAGR of about 40% year on year, which is quite impressive. Factors like growing urban population, escalation in per capita income, rise in commercial sector and huge foreign investments in the industrial sector are expected to fuel the demand for air purifiers during next five years. Hence, the market in India is anticipated to be Rs 200 cr by 2022.

Cost effective technologies are seen as major growth drivers as larger section of the society is able to afford them

Consumers are still not aware and informed about the various air purification technologies and their benefits. When choosing an Air Purifier, Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) needs to be considered as the higher the CADR, the more air gets purified. The number describes the purifier’s ability to remove all pollutants from specific amount of air. Verification of claims through third-party labs or demonstrations should also be a deciding factor.

The air filters used in the purifiers are one of the most important components of the product. In terms of technology, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters dominate the air purifier market. HEPA filters must meet a standard of trapping at least 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns. The HEPA filter is a very fine fibre-like material that has been folded back and forth to create a maze of randomly arranged fibres that presents a very large surface for air to be pushed through by the air purifier fan. Most HEPA filters need to be replaced annually.

Some purifiers use Active Charcoal which has a layer of carbon particles that can absorb certain gases but the efficiency of this filter depends on the volume of air drawn. Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) is another filter that consists of charged wires which traps coarse particles. Whereas, the ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filter can trap particles up to 0.12 microns like mould, virus and fungus, which once trapped can multiply inside the filters thus challenging hygiene.

Other Air Purification technologies include Negative Ionizers, Ozonizers, UV Light and PCO (Photo Catalytic Oxidation). Negative Ionizers generate negative ions that magnetically attract airborne particles such as pollen and dust, until the newly-formed particle is too heavy to remain in air. Ozonizers work much like an ionizing purifier, but it is designed to alter molecules of oxygen and turn them into ozone that breaks down airborne particles. Air purifiers using UV Light & PCO technology uses UV light to destroy microorganisms.

Beside these, innovative technologies that are gaining popularity lately are Plasma cluster ion and Nano G filters. Plasma discharge generates and emits the same positive and negative ions that occur in nature. It sanitizes the air by deactivating mould, viruses, dust mite and bacteria and neutralizing VOCs and toxic gases (breaks ammonia, formaldehyde & carbon monoxide). Once the Plasmacluster block comes in contact with other non-conducive surfaces, they can remove static charge.

Even though the Air Purifier market is in the nascent stage, we can see several players competing against each other with their range of products. Research and novelty has a great effect on the demand of air purifiers in the Indian market. Cost effective technologies are seen as major growth drivers as larger section of the society is able to afford them.