POLLUTION

Parts of Delhi Witness Critical Pollution Levels with 400 AQI; Air Purifier Demand Rises Amid Health Woes

People commute along a street amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi. (Sunil Kataria/TOI, BCCL, Delhi) — People commute along a street amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi.
(Sunil Kataria/TOI, BCCL, Delhi)

Wednesday, November 6: Delhi’s air quality continued to register 'very poor' levels on Wednesday morning, with a lingering haze and thick smog blanketing the capital for a sixth consecutive day following Diwali celebrations. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 358 at 8 a.m.

AQI levels varied across the city: Alipur recorded 372, Bawana 412, Dwarka Sector 8 stood at 355, and Najafgarh registered 354. Other localities such as New Moti Bagh, Punjabi Bagh, and RK Puram also reported dangerously high levels, posing significant health risks.

Surging demand for air purifiers and masks

As pollution surges, so does the demand for air purifiers and face masks. Market analytics firm Renub Research projects the air purifier market in India will grow at an impressive CAGR of 28.5% from 2023 to 2030, reflecting the public’s increasing concern over air quality.

Vijay Malhotra, who owns Vijay Electricals in north Delhi, noted a shift in clientele: “We’re seeing customers like autorickshaw drivers buying Rs 5,000 purifiers, realising prevention is better than cure.”

Online retailers are also seeing a surge in interest. Swiggy Instamart reported a 3,233% increase in air purifier searches in November 2023.

Financial and health toll

The economic toll of India’s air pollution is also staggering. A report from Dalberg Advisors, in collaboration with the Clean Air Fund and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), found that pollution costs Indian businesses approximately $95 billion (or Rs 7.99 lakh crore) annually.

For individuals, the financial burden includes medical costs, preventive equipment, and loss of productivity—expenses many are struggling to meet. Priyamvada S., a 38-year-old Delhi resident, vented her frustration online: “The good air purifiers cost almost Rs 40,000, and even car purifiers go up to Rs 20,000. How can an average person afford clean air?”

Doctors are particularly concerned about the health impacts on the city’s younger population. “We’re seeing rising cases of young people diagnosed with severe respiratory issues, even lung cancer. Pollution is a direct cause, and we must act urgently to secure our right to clean air,” says Dr. Ankit Jain, an oncologist with Apollo Cancer Care in Delhi.

With Delhi residents facing rising expenses just to breathe clean air, the capital’s worsening pollution underscores the need for immediate and large-scale interventions.

**

For weather, science, space, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It's free!

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.