Malaysians queue for clean air lifelines as haze sends purifier demand into overdrive

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 - The toxic haze from Indonesian wildfires has led to a surge in demand for oxygen tanks and air purifiers across South-east Asia, manufacturers say, as they race to meet the life-saving clean air demand. The months-long haze has caused school closures and heightened respiratory issues. Families are rushing to purchase devices to maintain clean indoor air.

At AA Alive, a medical equipment firm near Kuala Lumpur, staff members are operating at full capacity to supply oxygen bottles, with sales soaring due to the haze. Rafina Firdaus, a sales team member at AA Alive, reported a 35 per cent increase in sales linked to the haze. She mentioned that while oxygen tanks provide about three hours of continuous use, concentrators last around 24 hours.

Md Noor Bin Bujang, a 69-year-old patient, spent over a month in the hospital and received his first oxygen concentrator on Thursday. He admitted that without the oxygen-providing equipment, he would experience shortness of breath, particularly with the haze. Mubassar Khan, a technician at AA Alive, explained that the haze's pollutants have cut the filter lifespan of oxygen concentrators in half.

The company currently provides around 40 rental units per day, meeting the increased demand due to the haze, as they have faced such situations annually before. Experts warn that prolonged exposure to haze pollutants may lead to inflammation, posing a "multisystem public health threat." Juliana Jalaludin, an environmental health professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, expressed concern over future generations potentially facing a higher burden of respiratory illnesses if repeatedly exposed to haze and air pollution, especially in childhood.

She emphasized the need to reduce exposure now to protect children's health and prevent long-term consequences for future generations. Air purifier retailers have observed a significant increase in sales since air quality started declining in August. Courts, a regional consumer electronics retailer, reported a 600 per cent surge in air purifier sales between September 28 and October 12 compared to the same period last year.

The company noted that customers are becoming increasingly conscious of indoor air quality and actively seeking solutions to create a healthier and more comfortable home environment.