The haze that has covered large parts of Southeast Asia is more than a visual problem; it is reshaping daily life. Understanding how this air‑quality crisis changes the demand for oxygen equipment and air purifiers helps us see its impact on health.

The months‑long haze in Southeast Asia has forced school closures and increased respiratory complaints. Families are now rushing to buy devices that can keep indoor air clean.

AA Alive, a medical‑equipment company near Kuala Lumpur, reports a 35% rise in oxygen‑tank sales because of the haze, according to sales staff Rafina Firdaus. The firm now delivers about 40 rental units each day, according to Rafina Firdaus. Technician Mubassar Khan added that the haze’s pollutants have cut the usual 1,000‑hour lifespan of an oxygen‑concentrator filter in half, so users must replace filters more often.

Air‑purifier retailers have seen a sharp jump as well. Courts said sales volume rose 600% between Sept. 28 and Oct. 12 compared with the same period last year, and Gain City reported that demand has risen to nine times the level recorded at the start of the haze season in August.

Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to haze pollutants is a multisystem public‑health threat. Juliana Jalaludin, a professor of environmental health at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said repeated haze exposure could give children a higher burden of respiratory illness in the future.

The haze crisis is therefore driving a surge in oxygen equipment and air‑purifier purchases, showing how quickly a regional air‑quality problem can affect everyday health. Keeping indoor air safe has become a priority for many households and workplaces.