There are several reasons because of which the health of your family may be at risk. Air Pollution is the leading cause of respiratory diseases, asthma and lung cancer. Here’s how to tell whether you need an air purifier.




1. Outdoor Pollution & Smog

WHO estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in the polluted air and smog. These are called particulates. They penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

The worst of this kind are microscopic and cannot be naturally filtered out by the body. The HEPA filter or High-Efficiency Particulate Air found in the top air purifiers has the technology to filter these out effectively.

2. Asthma & Respiratory diseasesPeople with asthma and respiratory diseases are already at a much higher risk of health complications. Exposing them to smog, smoke, pet dander, areas with construction, passive cigarette smoke, factory smoke or living in high humidity and allergens like pollen can make their condition much worse.
It is highly recommended that people with asthma who live in the above-mentioned areas, not only have air purifiers but also wears a pollution mask when they step outdoors.

3. People with PetsPets as such do not cause any health issues. But nearly all pets will shed fur or dander. Dander has the ability to lie around and attract dust and pollen. This could result in sudden allergies – frequent sneezing and coughing bouts and breathing issues.
If you have pets at home, an air purifier could control the amount of dander in your house significantly.

4. PregnancyAccording to a study by The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at the University of York, nearly three million babies are born prematurely each year because of air pollution. Children born before term have a significant risk of neurological disorders and permanent physical disabilities.
An alarming Harvard study revealed that women exposed to high particulate matter pollution during their third trimesters were twice as likely to deliver a child with autism.



In pregnant women, asthma can cause preeclampsia, a condition that causes elevated blood pressure and decreased the function of the liver and kidneys. Untreated asthma can cause your baby to suffer from lack of oxygen, leading to poor growth, premature birth, and low birth weight. 
If you plan on starting or expanding a family, you may need to be careful with the air your breathe. Multiple studies have determined air pollution contributes to lower fertility rates in men and women.

5. Young Children
Children are more at risk from the effects of pollution because they have faster breathing rates and their lungs are still developing. Children aged between 8-10 years old, who lived in highly polluted parts of cities, had up to 10% less lung capacity than normal .
Brain development Air pollution exposure in pregnant women was found  to harm brain development and contribute to behavioural and cognitive problems later in childhood.
Obesity and diabetes It’s possible that air pollution can be a catalyst for obesity and diabetes in young children. A recent study  of children aged 8 to 15 who were exposed to higher levels of air pollution was also found to have a lower insulin sensitivity. As well as a decline in beta-cell function and a higher body mass index (BMI) at age 18.

6. Indoor PollutionIt is hard to imagine that there are pollutants inside your home, something that you so painstakingly maintain. Most of the indoor pollution sources are from products that we purchase. VOCs or volatile organic compounds is one of the top reasons for indoor pollution. They are present in everyday products like nail polish remover, furniture polish, paint, glue, carpeting, room fresheners, glass cleaners, dishwasher detergents and laundry detergents and in almost all plastic products.

The composition of these products are out of your control and substitutes are few. Air purifiers will clean your bedroom room and keep you and your family safe from health issues caused by indoor pollution.

7. You Live Near Factory Smoke
Residential areas within a 5-6km radius of factories are prone to air pollution. Toxins released from the chimneys of big factories are one of the most fatal types of air pollution. These emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Combustion creates these toxic pollutants.  Ozone, for example, causes irritation to the respiratory system. It can aggravate existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Carbon monoxide can adversely affect your cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

Considering buy an air purifier? Here is a further read to help you through specs to look for in an air purifier.