Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) grapple with its annual air pollution season, causing health issues for the young and old alike. However, instead of sitting through the smog season and hoping the government to do something, a 14-year-old decided to do his bit to combat the toxic haze. Krrish Chawla, a teenager, is offering a game-changing, affordable solution for the masses of Delhi to fight the problem of air pollution. He came up with an air purifier that costs just Rs 4,990, a lot cheaper than the ones sold by electronic manufacturers.
Chawla, who began his work at the age of 14, developed ‘Breathify,’ which is a low-cost, eco-friendly air purifier that can slash indoor pollution levels to safe levels. The idea is to combat a massive public health crisis, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently soars past 400 during the winter months. Unlike most high-end air purifiers that retail between Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000, this cheaper solution is expected to cater to most middle and low-income families.
Chawla’s air purifier: From personal struggle to low-cost solution
Chawla’s journey began in 2016 after enduring persistent breathing issues during Delhi’s suffocating winters. Out of curiosity, he dismantled an expensive, branded air purifier. “I was surrounded by purifiers because I used to fall sick so often,” Chawla stated. “One day, out of curiosity, I opened one. It was just a fan and a filter — and yet it cost Rs 30,000. I was shocked.”
This realisation, however, forced him to take some action. Over the next few years, Chawla relentlessly researched and engineered more than 320 prototypes, experimenting with airflow dynamics and filtration materials to maximise efficiency while minimising cost.
Chawla’s patent-pending air purifier achieves near-zero AQI
The result of Chawla’s persistent work is Breathify, a purifier which utilises a patent-pending ‘Reverse Air Technology’. This system efficiently pulls air in from the back, filters it rapidly, and significantly reduces energy consumption compared to conventional models.
Independent testing has demonstrated the device’s purification capability, showing that it can bring indoor air quality down to an AQI of 4 — a level far cleaner than the standard air outside. What’s even more impressive is that the base model of Breathify starts at just Rs 4,990, making clean air accessible to a broad demographic, including students, small businesses, and families.
Chawla’s purifier, however, is more than just about affordability. The design of the machine is also meant to ensure sustainability. Breathify is built using recyclable materials and is 99% free of plastic or polymer, thus reducing the long-term environmental waste associated with consumer electronics. Additionally, Chawla has pledged to plant a sapling for every unit sold, reinforcing the message that the solution to air pollution must extend beyond the indoors.
