{
  "id": 16531363,
  "title": "Your aircon isn’t cleaning your air, and bowls of water won’t either: What haze does indoors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/your-aircon-isnt-cleaning-your-air-and-bowls-of-water-wont-either",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/26/your-aircon-isnt-cleaning-your-air-and-bowls-of-water-wont-either-what-haze-does-indoors/240567"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, October 26 — Indoor air quality experts warn that air conditioners do not effectively clean the air during haze, as fine particles such as PM2.5 can seep into homes even when windows and doors remain closed. Syida Nasri, head of indoor air quality at Airscan and an accredited assessor, explained that these ultrafine particles can pose serious health risks by penetrating deep into the lungs and staying suspended in the air for extended periods. PM2.5 levels indoors are about half of those outdoors, but they can cause inflammation and other health issues without noticeable symptoms.\n\nHowever, experts agree that larger particles, such as PM10 and PM5, are more concerning, as they can lead to coughing. The necessity of using air purifiers depends on factors such as the size of the home and presence of respiratory conditions. Syida cautioned against relying on standard air conditioners, as they primarily filter out larger particles and are not designed to handle PM2.5.\n\nShe emphasized the importance of monitoring indoor air quality using an affordable sensor, as visual signs of haze outdoors are not indicative of indoor pollution levels. While closing windows and doors helps limit pollution entry, it does not create an airtight barrier, and residents should avoid assuming that staying indoors entirely eliminates the risk.\n\nOpen windows during periods of clearer air, such as after rain or when wind disperses the haze, can help circulate fresh air and reduce the buildup of indoor pollutants. However, activities like cooking, cleaning, and using strong detergents indoors should be minimized during haze periods. Both experts advised against burning incense, candles, or cigarettes indoors, as they significantly contribute to particulate pollution.\n\nWhen it comes to air purifiers, Syida recommended a genuine high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, preferably H13, with a focus on the clean air delivery rate (CADR) for efficient filtration in living areas. Tan suggested that households with respiratory issues or indoor pets might benefit from using a purifier, though this may not be necessary for most households.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Keeping windows and doors shut during haze can help limit polluted air entering homes, but...",
  "key_points": [
    "Air conditioners ineffective at cleaning indoor air during haze",
    "PM2.5 levels indoors half of outdoor levels, causing health issues",
    "Air purifiers with HEPA filters recommended for respiratory issues"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}