Man Shows Brand New Air Purifier Clogged Within 2 Weeks as Delhi AQI Worsens

Introduction

New Delhi
As Delhi continues to battle dangerous air pollution levels, a video shared by a city resident has gone viral, showing a brand-new air purifier completely clogged and turned black within just two weeks of use. The video has sparked widespread concern, once again exposing the alarming extent of pollution gripping the national capital.

The incident comes at a time when the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained consistently in the “very poor” and “severe” categories, affecting visibility, health, and daily life.

Air Purifier Filter Turns Pitch Black in Days

The man, who lives in South Delhi, posted the video showing:

• A two-week-old air purifier filter
• Layers of dark soot and dust embedded in the filter
• Visible pollution deposits clogging the machine
• The purifier struggling to clean indoor air

He explained that despite keeping doors and windows closed, the filter got blocked in record time, indicating the extreme level of particulate matter present in the air inside homes.

Residents across the city responded to the video, saying their own purifiers are facing similar issues this season.

Delhi’s AQI Continues to Fall

Over the last few days, Delhi’s AQI has consistently hovered above 350–450 at several monitoring stations, pushing parts of the city into the severe pollution range.

The primary contributors include:

• Accumulated vehicular pollution
• Low wind speed trapping pollutants
• Farm fires in neighbouring states
• Industrial and construction emissions
• Dust and suspended particles

Weather conditions have further worsened the smog situation, as cooler temperatures and fog trap pollutants closer to the ground.

Health Experts Issue Warnings

Doctors have warned that when air purifiers start clogging this fast, it indicates extremely hazardous air conditions. Exposure to such air can lead to:

• Constant cough and sore throat
• Breathing difficulty
• Eye irritation
• Asthma flare-ups
• Long-term lung damage
• Fatigue and headaches

Hospitals in Delhi have reported a rise in respiratory cases, especially among children and senior citizens.

Experts say that indoor air pollution becomes just as harmful when AQI outside crosses 300.

Residents Worried as Pollution Shows No Signs of Improving

Social media users from across Delhi NCR said their air purifiers are requiring filter changes every 10–20 days, whereas normally, filters last several months.

Many residents expressed frustration:

• “If the purifier looks like this in two weeks, imagine what our lungs must be going through.”
• “You can smell the dust in the air.”
• “Winter pollution is getting worse year by year.”

Parents have also raised concerns about children, especially with schools remaining open in some districts despite worsening AQI.

Government Monitoring the Situation

Authorities have activated measures under GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan), including:

• Restricting construction activities
• Increasing pollution checks
• Encouraging remote work
• Advising reduced outdoor movement

However, pollution levels remain high, and more steps may be considered if conditions worsen further.

Conclusion

The viral video of a clogged air purifier highlights the severity of Delhi’s pollution crisis.
With the AQI refusing to improve and winter conditions locking pollutants near the surface, residents are relying heavily on purifiers, masks, and indoor precautions.

Experts warn that unless strict long-term measures are implemented, Delhi will continue to face major pollution emergencies every winter.