Indoor air pollution in India is generally disregarded, with most debates on air quality focusing on outdoor pollutants. However, estimates from the World Health Organization's (WHO) show that indoor air pollution causes over 1.6 million premature deaths in India each year, highlighting the need to address this hidden menace. The problem has generated creative solutions, such as a collaboration between Nirvana Being, a leading clean air solutions provider, and Greenr Café, a health-conscious dining chain that has pledged to build "Pure Air Zones" on its premises. 

Greenr Café has adopted a proactive approach by implementing innovative ventilation, filtration, and automation systems in collaboration with Nirvana Being. Real-time AQI (Air Quality Index) screens greet customers at its sites, displaying PM2.5 and CO2 levels both indoors and outside. This measure promotes openness and guarantees customers of a safe dining environment. Jai Dhar Gupta, founder of Nirvana Being, stressed the significance of such projects, saying, "As more people suffer health difficulties as a result of poisonous air, there is an increasing desire for safe areas where they can dine and meet without jeopardising their health." Our work with Greenr Café represents a shared vision to provide patrons with clean air they can rely on, establishing a new standard for health and safety in India's hospitality industry."

Cooking emissions, household chemicals, insufficient ventilation, and particulate matter infiltration from the outside all contribute to the dangers of indoor air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that indoor air can be two to five times more contaminated than outdoor air, making enclosed rooms more harmful. Greenr Café's efforts to avoid these dangers by integrating clean air technologies are consistent with global best practices, demonstrating how businesses can help solve public health issues. 

Niharika Jain, the founding partner of Greenr Café, emphasised the importance of such interventions, saying, "Air and water are essential to human health and survival, and everyone should have the right to access them in their purest form." At Greenr, we want to build venues where people can gather, eat healthy cuisine, and feel their best. With the alarming rise in air pollution, it became critical for us to ensure our customers could breathe clean, safe air while they were here. 

While large-scale infrastructure modifications and government policies are critical in addressing air pollution at the macro level, individual efforts can provide immediate and effective protection against indoor air pollution. Improving ventilation, which allows fresh air to circulate through open windows or exhaust fans, is one of the simplest yet most effective techniques for reducing indoor pollutants. However, in locations with poor outside air quality, ventilation alone may be insufficient. This is where air purifiers with HEPA filters become useful, as they actively capture harmful particles like PM2.5, allergens, and bacteria, leading to cleaner indoor air. 

Beyond filtering, decreasing pollution sources at home can considerably reduce exposure to harmful substances. Avoiding indoor smoking, using natural cleaning agents, and minimising the use of synthetic air fresheners can all help keep interior areas cleaner. Indoor plants, including snake plants, aloe vera, and peace lilies, help to purify the air by absorbing pollutants. 

Maintaining cleanliness is also important, as frequent dusting and vacuuming using HEPA filter-equipped equipment can remove accumulated pollutants and allergens from surfaces. Cooking emissions contribute significantly to interior air pollution; therefore, employing chimneys and exhaust fans when preparing meals can help disperse toxic pollutants and prevent buildup. Individuals can build healthier interior environments and reduce the risks of extended exposure to poor air quality by combining these practical options. 

The collaboration between Greenr Café and Nirvana Being exemplifies how businesses may lead on solving air quality concerns. Their endeavour establishes a precedent for other businesses to embrace clean-air solutions, resulting in safer conditions for both staff and customers. As air pollution continues to pose serious health hazards, such efforts should serve as motivation for authorities and individuals to take proactive action. 

The broader movement for clean indoor air, fuelled by such inventive collaborations, emphasises the importance of collective action. Nirvana Being and Greenr Café's commitment to delivering healthy, breathable air exemplifies how businesses and individuals may collaborate to reduce the hidden risks of indoor pollution. While we are developing large-scale policy solutions, we can protect public health with these minor yet significant measures.