On January 27, 2015, there was this interesting news headline that splashed across media channels: “India has taken 6 hours of US President Barack Obama’s life”. A day earlier, the then US President Barack Obama, gazed at the highly smogged New Delhi sky to witness the aerial actions of the Indian Air Force fighter planes, as he was the honourable guest at the occasion of India’s 66th Republic Day.

During Obama’s three-day visit to India, the average PM2.5 levels in Delhi was measured in between 76 to 84 micrograms per cubic meter, as per the data collected by India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences. The percentage was three times above the Indian safety standards and nine times that of the World Health Organisation limit (WHO). This incident highlighted PM2.5 as the biggest air quality offender in India. 

Today, air pollution is measured on the parameters that basically talks about the PM2.5 level in the air. Air purification has taken centre stage to fight the PM problem at indoor spaces, with each day new air purifying products joining the already crowded market. However, it is now being observed that particulate matter is just one piece of the pie. 

In a recent study by Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) it was found that unlike PM2.5 which is still manageable with the help of air purifiers at indoor environments, CO2 levels were well past the safety limit of 1000 ppm. This was found highest in corporate environments with an average of 2000 ppm, given to poor ventilation, in comparison to residential buildings where the lowest was measured at 960 ppm, which is again very high if the ideal count of 400 ppm of CO2 level in the air is considered. 

Air with high CO2 levels if inhaled may result in physical symptoms like headaches, restlessness, drowsiness, increased heart rate, sweating and more. CO2 beyond 1500 ppm levels in indoor spaces can directly escalate low productivity, high sick leave and infectious disease transmission, making this a crucial concern in environments like office, school and home.  It not only creates stuffiness, but as per studies, it can affect cognitive ability of the occupants who may have a harder time learning, performing simple and complex tasks, and also effective in decision-making ability.

It is estimated that CO2 along with PM2.5 will be the major IAQ determinants and this will be driving the growth of the mechanical ventilation market in India.