Delhi pollution on rise: Air purifiers no longer preserve of rich

NEW DELHI: Multi-brand showrooms in the capital have been teaching their sales staff terms like HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) and CADR (clean air delivery rate) lately. There has been an increased interest among consumers to buy air purifiers in the wake of severe air pollution in Delhi, and the showrooms don't want to be found wanting.

Air purifiers were previously the sole preserve of the high and mighty, and foreign diplomatic missions. Today, the upper middle-class consumer has joined the clientele too. Sanjeev Batra, owner of Batra Electricals in Lajpat Nagar's Central Market, says there has been a 50 per cent increase in enquiries about air purifiers.

"Earlier, we would sell two pieces in two months. We didn't even have a catalogue of products. Now we have brought some. But I think these units are costly. Middle-class families can't afford units worth Rs.50,000," he says.

But Sunil Kumar of Arvee Sales in the same area has a different opinion. "We have seen a 50 per cent hike in sales.We have chest specialists from Gangaram and Moolchand advising patients to use air purifiers. It's good for those with respiratory problems," he says. He shows an array of brands in his showroom and lists out their features--plasma clusters, electrostatic filters etc.

Komal, a saleswoman at Vijay Sales, says she has exceeded her sales target in the past three months. "Previously, only foreigners would come. Now, Delhiites too come. I sold five in October, nine in November and three in just four days of this month," she says.



Each of the catalogues specify the accreditation they carry , if any, of US based AHAM (Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers), the room size it is ideal for and the CADR it delivers. Prices vary depending on capacity .

Santosh Singh, a salesman at Jeevanjee Refrigeration Engineers, has products from a particular brand on display . "I sold 35 of these just yesterday. At the same price you get another company's purifier. But it releases ions into the air which is not good," he says.

Cost and efficacy remain the primary concerns with respect to air purifiers in India as we have no standard accreditation agency , leaving customers to independently verify the tall claims of manufacturers.