A resident of India's capital has starkly illustrated Delhi's escalating pollution emergency through a darkly humorous social media post that has captured the nation's attention. Pragati Agarwal shared a video of herself giving her air purifier a thorough cleaning, revealing the shocking amount of black grime the machine had collected from the city's toxic air.
The Viral 'Spa Day' for an Air Purifier
In an Instagram reel that has since gone viral, Agarwal can be seen brushing layers of thick, black dust off her air purifier. The filth falls away like chimney soot, dramatically showcasing what Delhi's air quality does to even indoor pollution-fighting appliances. The clip carries the text, "In Delhi even air purifiers deserve a spa day," while her caption adds, "Side effects of living in Delhi even my air purifier needs therapy."
The video quickly resonated with thousands online, who found themselves both amused by the absurd situation and alarmed by the grim reality it represents. The visual evidence of pollution accumulating inside a home, despite protective measures, struck a particularly powerful chord with viewers grappling with the same environmental crisis.
Netizens React with Shock and Concern
The comments section beneath the viral post flooded with reactions that ranged from disbelief to desperate suggestions for cleaner air. One user admitted, "I thought it was some black container until you brushed it off," highlighting how completely the machine was coated.
Another viewer expressed profound shock at the implications for indoor safety, writing, "My mouth is open wide in shock still at the moment I'm typing this comment… so freaking harmful it is to even stay indoors with this level of air quality." This sentiment underscores a growing fear among Delhi residents that nowhere is safe from the pollution onslaught.
Some commenters proposed natural alternatives, with one suggesting, "Use some indoor plants which release oxygen, fill balconies with plants like tulsi and other oxygen releasing plants creepers etc…. These things alone cannot do everything." The post also attracted political commentary, with one user claiming, "Finally after 11 years we can freely complain about pollution."
Delhi's Dangerous Air Quality Reality
Meanwhile, the actual air quality data confirms the severity captured in Agarwal's video. On Sunday morning, Delhi recorded an AQI of 385, firmly placing it in the "very poor" category according to official measurements.
Several areas across the city fared significantly worse, with monitoring stations reporting alarming numbers: Anand Vihar at 412, Chandni Chowk at 418, ITO at 417, and Bawana touching a dangerous 436. The situation has shown little improvement in recent days, with Saturday's AQI at 386 and Friday's readings also falling in the "very poor" range.
Earlier in the week, pollution levels had already climbed into the "severe" bracket according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, indicating a persistent environmental emergency that shows no signs of immediate resolution. The viral air purifier cleaning video serves as a tangible, disturbing manifestation of these abstract numbers that Delhi residents breathe every day.
