Hanoi's pollution levels are at 'red', leading to a surge in demand for air purifiers.

In recent days, air quality in Hanoi has consistently dropped to "red" and "purple" levels, signaling dangerous levels of pollution that pose a threat to human health.

Air purifiers are primarily categorized based on their filtration technology and the size of the room they are used in.

Dense smog and dust blanket many inner-city areas in the early morning and late evening, causing residents to restrict their movements and intensify health protection measures in their living spaces. In this context, the air purifier market in Hanoi has become more vibrant than ever as demand for devices to reduce exposure to fine dust has surged.

Observations show that the number of products, models, and price segments are extremely diverse, ranging from over 1 million to over 10 million VND, catering to many different consumer groups. Air quality in Hanoi is entering a period of severe pollution, especially during the winter months when temperature inversions and the accumulation of PM2.5 fine dust occur frequently.

According to environmental experts, the concentration of fine dust has exceeded the permissible standard by 2 to 5 times for several days. The independent monitoring organization AirVisual has also consistently ranked Hanoi among the cities with the worst air quality in the world at certain times of the day. This situation particularly affects vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, or people with respiratory illnesses.

Given the prolonged unfavorable conditions, many health agencies recommend that households maintain safe living spaces by using standard air purifiers. This is considered an effective indoor support measure when people cannot control the quality of air outside. Therefore, electronics stores, distributors, and online retailers have all reported a significant increase in customer inquiries about purchasing these products.

At an electronics supermarket on Giai Phong Street, Hoang Mai Ward, Hanoi, the number of customers visiting the air purifier section has tripled in recent days compared to the end of last month. Many mid-range models with a capacity of 25-35 m2 are constantly selling out. A representative of the chain said that consumer trends this year have changed somewhat compared to previous periods, with many families seeking models that have PM2.5 fine dust sensors, display AQI index, and can operate automatically based on actual air quality.

Among these, products with HEPA H13 or H14 filters are more popular due to their good fine dust filtration capabilities and high durability. In the low-price segment of 1-3 million VND, mini air purifiers suitable for rooms under 15 m2 are selling quite quickly. This is the choice of young families living in apartments or single people who want to equip their bedroom with basic appliances.

The largest market share group is the 3-8 million VND price range, considered to offer suitable pricing, balanced features, and ease of use. In the high-end 8-12 million VND range, brands focus on high power, multi-stage filtration technology, and smart connectivity, suitable for large living rooms.

In the premium segment, air purifiers are expensive, targeting users who need a modern design and powerful filtration capabilities for large spaces.

Not only in physical stores, but also on e-commerce platforms, there has been a surge in searches for air purifiers. Some products that were heavily discounted sold out within just a few days.

According to online retailers, consumers are now more interested in brand origin, filter replacement costs, and energy consumption. Consumers also tend to do more research before buying, rather than making quick decisions as they did during the previous pandemic.

Sharing her reasons for buying air purifiers, Ms. Dinh Ngoc Mai (Thanh Xuan ward) said that recent air pollution has caused her young child to cough frequently in the mornings. After continuously monitoring the air quality and seeing consistently poor levels, her family decided to invest in two air purifiers to install in the bedroom and living room. “Before, I had heard about the benefits of air purifiers, but I didn’t really pay attention. Only when the air quality became extremely poor, especially in the mornings when looking out the window and seeing the thick haze, did I realize I needed to proactively protect my health,” Ms. Mai said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Huu Manh (Hoang Mai ward) shared: “My house is near an area with many construction sites, so a lot of dust gets into the house. In recent days, the pollution index has been too high, so I decided to buy an air purifier to reduce some of the fine dust in my living space. When I turn on the machine, the air quality index improves significantly after about 20-30 minutes.”

However, many consumers report that choosing an air purifier remains difficult due to the market's wide variety. Parameters such as CADR, suitable area, filter quality, and noise level confuse many. Some households purchase small-capacity machines for large rooms, resulting in low efficiency. Therefore, stores often recommend that buyers base their choice on room size, lifestyle habits, and specific needs for odor removal, air purification, or disinfection to select the right device.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Quan, the owner of a household appliance store on Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Dong Da Ward: "The number of customers inquiring about air purifiers has increased sharply in the past week, with many customers coming because they are very worried about the pollution situation. However, it is essential that they understand the features of each model and choose the appropriate filter type. Most importantly, they must replace the filters on time, because if the filter is too dirty, the filtration efficiency will be greatly reduced."

Currently, air purifiers are available in a wide variety of models, suitable for different needs and budgets of households.

Environmental experts acknowledge that air purifiers are an important solution in the context of rising pollution, but they are not a foolproof measure. Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Anh Le, from the Department of Environment, Faculty of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, believes that air purifiers can be quite effective in reducing indoor exposure.

However, in the long term, air quality will only improve when the city strictly controls emission sources such as traffic, construction, industry, and waste. “Increased use of health protection equipment by residents is essential. But more importantly, Hanoi needs to persistently implement comprehensive solutions to reduce fine particulate pollution at the source level,” Mr. Le emphasized.

In addition, experts advise people not to overuse air purifiers and to combine them with maintaining good ventilation, regularly cleaning their homes, and avoiding opening windows when the outdoor AQI is at a poor level. When going outside, people should use standard face masks to limit inhaling fine dust. For young children and the elderly, outdoor activities should be limited when air quality is at a warning level.

Currently, many functional units are also strengthening air quality monitoring and widely publishing the information on online platforms for people to stay updated. Experts hope the city will strengthen control of emissions from traffic, increase green spaces, and improve urban management systems to create a healthier living environment for residents. The increased demand for air purifiers in Hanoi shows that public awareness of environmental health is growing. This is a positive sign in the context of persistent and complex air pollution.

However, in the long term, the city still needs fundamental solutions to improve air quality, while also raising the responsibility and awareness of each citizen in protecting the shared living environment. Air purifiers are a necessary solution, but they are only effective when placed within a comprehensive and synchronized set of long-term measures.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/ha-noi-o-nhiem-o-muc-do-nhu-cau-may-loc-khong-khi-tang-manh-20251211145641679.htm