Studying the Double Paradox in Air Conditioning at Indian Airports for Airborne Infection Prevention and PM2.5 filtration.

Abstract

Airports are hubs of diverse human interaction. In case of pandemics, they may serve as primary centres for spread of diseases, especially airborne transmitted. Appropriate methods for prevention of spread of airborne infections must be integrated with the Air conditioning systems of airports. Along with UVGI and other sanitisation methods, dilution ventilation can be the easiest and most available method for prevention of airborne infection. This means intake of outside air into the indoor which flushes out the aerosolised droplets containing pathogens. Though, this process is adopted, it may present the challenge of high concentration particulate matter, an air pollutant in major developing countries, which may enter through the air conditioner. Appropriate filtration is necessary so that along with airborne disease prevention, the risk of PM 2.5 induced lung issues is also reduced.
A series of Right to Information applications were filed to get information on the Air conditioners of 61 Indian airports. Out of these 27 fell in ‘non-attainment’ of Air Quality list. On appraisal of filter systems it was found that 23 had intake of fresh air, but only 5 had filters of rating MERV 10 and above in their Air Conditioning systems. It can be concluded that the mostly the airports did not have the appropriate filter required for filtering PM 2.5, which is a major pollutant in Indian cities. In light of COVID-19, where Dilution was suggested, it may lead to entry of polluted air in the indoors.