Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Air Quality
What's in the air you breathe?
This short video explores the invisible particles floating in the air around us — from dust and pollen to PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds. Understanding what's in your air is the first step to breathing cleaner.
How does indoor air quality impact your lungs?
This video explains how poor indoor air quality affects your respiratory system and lung health.
Does AQI tell me how clean my indoor air is?
No. AQI reflects outdoor air at monitoring stations, not the air inside your home. Indoor air quality depends on outdoor pollution entering the home, ventilation, indoor sources (cooking, dust, incense, smoking), and use of air purifiers or filters.
What are the key pollutants in indoor air?
The main indoor air pollutants are: PM2.5 and PM10, VOCs (from paints, cleaning products, new furniture), CO₂ (indicates poor ventilation), NO₂ (from gas stoves), and biological pollutants (mould, pet dander, dust mites, pollen). In Indian homes, cooking emissions and outdoor pollution infiltration are often the biggest contributors.
Which VOC items should be avoided in homes?
Common VOC sources to minimise: synthetic air fresheners, oil-based paints, strong cleaning products with bleach or ammonia, new furniture, nail polish, mosquito coils, and scented candles. Look for 'low-VOC' or 'zero-VOC' labels.
Air Purifier Basics
Do air purifiers actually work?
Yes — when correctly sized and used in a closed room. True HEPA filters reduce PM2.5, dust, pollen, and smoke. CADR and room size matter.
What problems can air purifiers solve?
They reduce particles like PM2.5, dust, allergens, and smoke. They cannot fix CO₂ buildup, humidity, or poor ventilation.
Can air purifiers reduce CO₂ or increase oxygen?
No. Air purifiers do not add oxygen or remove CO₂. Ventilation is required for that.
Can air purifiers remove viruses or bacteria?
HEPA filters can capture airborne particles that carry viruses and bacteria, but they don't kill them. Air purifiers are not a substitute for ventilation, masks, or hygiene practices during illness.
Common Myths
Do air purifiers make the air dry?
No. Air purifiers filter particles, not moisture. The sensation of dryness in winter comes from heaters reducing humidity, not from the purifier.
Are air purifiers and humidifiers the same?
No. Air purifiers clean air by removing particles using filters. Humidifiers add moisture. They serve completely different purposes.
Do air purifiers stop the body from building immunity to pollution?
No. The human body does not build 'immunity' to air pollution. Pollution causes damage, not immunity.
Do air purifiers make people "too sensitive" to pollution?
No. Moving from clean air to polluted air makes irritation more noticeable. That's awareness, not reduced immunity.
Do indoor plants purify the air?
Not meaningfully. The NASA study was done in sealed chambers, not real rooms. You would need hundreds of plants to see any effect in a typical home.
Do neck-based personal air purifiers help?
No. Studies show they can increase ozone concentration in your breathing zone. Stick with room-based HEPA air purifiers.
Choosing an Air Purifier
What filters should I look for in India?
Look for true HEPA (H13 or higher). Add activated carbon if odours or chemical smells are a concern.
Is HEPA 14 better than HEPA 13?
In practice, a well-designed HEPA 13 purifier with proper airflow performs almost as well in homes.
How many air purifiers do I need?
One purifier cleans one room. Multiple rooms usually require multiple units.
Is the CADR on the box accurate for daily use?
CADR is measured at the highest fan speed, which is often too noisy for continuous use. Choose a purifier with CADR 20–30% higher than your room requirement.
What sensors should an air purifier have?
A PM2.5 sensor is essential. A TVOC sensor helps track gases from cooking and cleaning. A CO₂ sensor is a nice-to-have for ventilation monitoring.
How often should I replace HEPA filters in India?
In high-pollution cities, replace HEPA filters once a year. In less polluted areas, filters may last longer. If the filter looks grey or black, it's time to change.
About Indoor Air Guide
Is Indoor Air Guide affiliated with any brands?
No. Indoor Air Guide is an independent, educational resource.