Improving your Indoor Air Quality in Light of Delhi’s High AQI

Every winter, people in Delhi are greeted by a wall of smoke. Every winter, people in Delhi are greeted by a wall of smoke, a byproduct of the city's infamous Air Quality Index. Deep purple and red AQI readings pop up on your phone, prompting a precautionary closure of your windows.

While closing your windows is a good start, it's no a lasting solution to the problem. In fact, the opposite is true. Your home may become a health hazard. The fact that the majority of our time is spent indoors demonstrates just how important the quality of that air is to our health.

In this guide, I'll explain the meaning of AQI readings in terms of your health. I'll also provide a more positive alternative – actionable steps to transform your home into a therapeutic air oasis. Out of everything that is in this guide, this is the best advice you'll receive about Delhi’s AQI.

Delhi's Air Quality Crisis Explained

Before devising strategies to improve air quality, problem definition is essential. The Air Quality Index (AQI) captures localized air quality and translates data from over a hundred monitoring stations into a scale from 0 to 500, color-coded from green to red.

What is the AQI and how do we calculate it?

When assessing air quality, the AQI takes into account five criteria pollutants: ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxides. The AQI then relays particulate matter concentrations to the public. In the AQI, pollutants are color coded based on a risk scale, with very low (good air quality) and very high (unhealthy air quality) concentration limits.

PM2.5 are the most dangerous of the criteria pollutants since we do not know the exact particulate concentration that is harmful to health. PM2.5 are the most dangerous since they are 30 times smaller than the average human hair and evade the body's defenses to penetrate deep into the lungs, entering the bloodstream.

Delhi's average AQI levels

The AQI has 5 levels, 0-50 meaning excellent and in good health, unfortunately even in winter months, it is rare for AQI in Delhi to be this low. Delhi's AQI is in the moderate range (100-150) for roughly half the year, and this is when the country is experiencing monsoon season which provides the country with rainfall that temporarily ameliorates the issue. In the case of Delhi, the AQI levels go from moderate to severe as the seasons go from summer to winter.

From the end of October to January, the AQI is 300 and beyond (Very Poor) daily. There are some days when it is 400-500 (Severe) due to incredibly poor air quality. Combine all the traffic congestion, industrial activity, and year round construction activities, and the air quality is simply the worst for the cities residents. And when it is the season of stubble burning (burning leftover straw after harvesting), the cities air is toxic and the the air what is trapped inside this dome.

Toxic pollutants that the cities residents inhale

The serious AQI levels mean that the air is highly toxic and this is an inescapable reality for for all the cities residents. Even if an individual is quite healthy, the damaged caused to the body by chronic exposure to the highly toxic air is simply inescapable.

The dangers associated with poor air quality

There are obvious negative health effects connected to increased pollution indexes, such as a longer-lasting, scratchier throats, burning of the eyes, chronic coughs, and constricted chests. Many report chronic fatigue and headache symptoms during of times of increased pollution levels.

The health issues caused by persistent pollution are more severe and longer-lasting. The small particulates and toxic gases exacerbate chronic respiratory health problems, like asthma and bronchitis. Exposure to these air quality problems can also lead to more serious cardiovascular issues and increase the chances of having a stroke. For severe health effects, children, elderly, and those in the pregnant state are curse of greater exposure.

The Reason For Bad Indoor Air Quality

If the outdoor pollution is bad, we tend to think that it is safer to stay inside. We close off the house, and even use the air conditioning system, which recycles the inside air. Numerous studies have shown that the air inside a structure may be worse, and in fact, may be pollution wise, two to five times more worse than the air outside.

Sources of indoor air pollution

Sealing your home to keep the outside air pollution out creates another problem: the indoor air pollution becomes trapped inside. Everyday activities can generate a shocking number of pollutants. Cooking, and frying/ roasting, create smoke from the food as well as small particles and pollution.

Some household items, like cleaners and air fresheners, as well as other items like cosmetics, release compounds known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which can worsen the oven and air pollution. Since the air is uncirculated, the CO2 that is exhaled by people can build up and can result in drowsiness and poor focus. Then if there are any wet places (for example near a sink or where there is a drain) that can grow mold, a sealed home can create a trap for a dangerous and old air.

Improving Air Quality Indoors

While you may not be able to control air pollution on your street, air pollution inside your home is fully in your control. Regular air purifiers aren't enough. While they improve some components of air quality, they don't remove stagnant carbon dioxide or replenish oxygen.

The Importance of Good Air Quality and Adequate Ventilation

Good air quality is reliant on adequate ventilation. Good ventilation systems remove stale air and replace it with clean outdoor air. This process dilutes pollutants, removes moisture, and balances oxygen levels.

Astberg Ventilation Solutions

To maintain the desired quality of air indoors, one must invest in the appropriate tools engineered for controlled air exchange. Astberg Ventilation Solutions specializes in providing diverse and high-quality exhaust and ventilation systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Here are some of the most efficient systems available:

Domestic Fans: From ₹2190, these fans are a great solution for the most basic exhaust system, especially for bathrooms and kitchens.

Premium Inline Fans: Starting from ₹4690, these fans are installed inside your ductwork so that they are hidden from view. They are powerful inline fans that operate silently, and they ensure a constant flow of air.

Fresh Air Purifiers: Starting at ₹9990, these purifiers provide a breath of fresh air, as they bring in air from the outside. They also filter out the harmful PM2.5 and smog before the air enters your room.

ERV and HRV Systems: Starting at ₹31900, these systems are considered the premier choice of ventilation systems. They replace stale air in your indoor environment with fresh air from outside and recover the energy from the outgoing air, thus reducing the costs of heating and cooling your room.

Choosing the Right Ventilation System

Though it may feel overwhelming to select the right equipment, knowing what to look for makes all the difference in the functionality of your system. An inadequate fan size could result in stagnant air and unmitigated pollutants; conversely, an oversized fan will waste power.

Things to consider

Begin by determining your room size. Larger spaces will require fans with larger air flow in Cubic Meters per Hour (CMH), Your specific air circulation problem also matters. If smoke-free circulation is needed during sleep in a bedroom, an ERV system is suitable. A kitchen is best served with a robust fan system.

DIY Support and Tooling

You are not left in the dark in determining the best solution. For example, Astberg Ventilation provides a user-friendly duct fan size calculator. After measuring your room, simply enter the dimensions (length, width, and height) and the calculator will provide fan options.

While determining the right calculator option, you can use Astberg's customer service to help with installation worries. They provide fast Pan (India) delivery and free shipping for orders above ₹5000 for customer service and fast delivery.

Take Charge of the Air You Breathe

Delhi's AQI is certainly a concerning number and while living in the city means that you may be constantly exposed to the city's poor air quality, there are several measures you can take to protect your health from the city's constant choking smog. Indoor air quality can be improved to the benefit of your health and the health of your family.

With a dhouda you can identify the sources of indoor air pollution stagnation. With proper air exchange, you can have a safe environment to breathe, regardless of the outdoor AQI.

Smog alerts are things of the past, but living in the city does not mean you have to stress about your health being endangered every day. Surround yourself with cleaner indoor air and take control of your environment. Astberg Ventilation is the first place to start as they have Australia's best ventilation products. Use the free size calculator to give your home the ventilation and fresh air it deserves.

FAQ

• What is AQI in Delhi right now?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi is 104, which means the air quality is Poor right now.

• Did Delhi reach 1000 AQI?

Air quality levels in Delhi touched the sky and crossed 1000 to 1200 in different areas. The alarming conditions required emergency actions. Thus, Delhi's former Chief Minister announced the GRAP-4 stage in Delhi.

• Has Delhi reached 2000 AQI?

India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pegged the city's AQI near 351, while Swiss air-quality monitoring firm IQAir's readings soared beyond 2,000. We explain the stark difference — and why both figures reveal the same alarming truth: Delhi's air is hazardous.