Smog in Mumbai has been the talk of India's financial capital this winter season. Sales of air purifiers have increased in Mumbai, which rivalled even Delhi on some days, as people have become more aware of the health risks posed by poor air quality.
Sales of air purifiers have increased in Mumbai, which rivalled even Delhi on some days, as people become more aware of the health risks posed by poor air quality.
There has been a year-on-year increase in air purifier sales, with Delhi leading the market, according to Nilesh Gupta, managing director of Vijay Sales. "When the crop burning starts in Punjab, there are a few days when sales really hit the roof. Stock gets depleted despite us trying to stock more," Gupta said.
While Delhi continues to dominate air purifier sales, Mumbai has also shown growth, albeit from a smaller base. "In Mumbai, only people who have respiratory issues, doctor recommendations or heightened health consciousness tend to buy air purifiers," Gupta said.
Sales to commercial buyers remain minimal, with families driving the majority of purchases. Gupta also said that Dyson and Philips perform best in this segment.
Air purifiers are gradually transitioning from a seasonal product to an essential home appliance, similar to air conditioners, according to Gupta. "As consumers get more educated, they will buy more. Even if someone is working, they still come home and get 8–10 hours of sleep — if they're breathing clean air, it's great for their health," he said.
Effectiveness, Regulation Concerns
B Thiagarajan, managing director of Blue Star, called air purifiers a "limited utility product", effective only in enclosed, air-conditioned spaces, adding that N95 masks offered better protection outdoors.
Thiagarajan also highlighted the lack of standards in the market. "There are air purifiers available for as low as Rs 2,000 and as high as Rs 40,000 on Amazon. With no standards or certification from the Ministry of Health, how does a consumer decide which product actually works?" he asked.
Despite rising demand and doubled production, he said air purifiers cannot solve systemic pollution issues. Instead, he suggested, integrated air purification systems in air conditioners as a more sustainable solution for larger spaces.
"We have focused on building air purification technology directly into air conditioners to ensure cleaner air in enclosed spaces without the need for an additional gadget," he added.
Sales Boost
Demand for air purifiers has surged as air quality, especially in the National Capital Region, plummeted to hazardous levels, manufacturers told PTI.
Companies such as Kent RO Systems, Xiaomi and LG Electronics India reported sales growth of up to 50% during the festive season as the air quality index in Delhi and nearby regions reached alarming levels.
In the first and last week of December, the difference between the AQI levels in Delhi and Mumbai narrowed and were both in the 'unhealthy' to 'severe' range.
In the middle of December, Delhi experienced a significant deterioration in air quality, with the AQI levels crossing into the 'hazardous' category.
(Image credits: Neha Aravind/NDTV Profit)(Data Source: aqi.in)
Anti-Pollution Measures
Both Mumbai and Delhi have announced that anti-smog machines, small trucks with cannons that spew mist to weigh down suspended dust particles, will be deployed on major roads in the morning. The devices are being introduced in Mumbai for the first time.
On Dec. 31, the Mumbai civic body decided against granting fresh permissions for the digging of roads in the city.
Weather changes have severely impacted air quality in Mumbai Metropolitan City and Mumbai Metropolitan Region too. Municipal Commissioner & Administrator of BMC, Shri Iqbal Singh Chahal, has directed the implementation of measures to address the issue of air quality.… pic.twitter.com/AALuZMemJS
October 22, 2023Delhi's air pollution has also deteriorated in recent days, with the AQI climbing well above 300. October and November typically see poor air quality in northern India due to seasonal crop burning, vehicle emissions, and construction dust.
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