According to the World Health organization, around 2.4 million deaths that occur in China every year can be attributed to air pollution. The thick pollution found in many rapidly developing Chinese cities creates and exacerbates asthma and cardiovascular issues, resulting in premature death.
As Architectural Digest reports, new, stricter emissions regulations are stymieing the amount of dangerous particulate matter in the air, but pollution levels are still well above what is considered safe or acceptable.
If only someone could develop a scaled-up version of a common indoor air purifier that could be used to help purify the air outside, maybe some relief could finally come to many smog-filled cities. But that’s not plausible, is it? Well, apparently it is, as someone has done just that. A Netherlands-based team led by Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde has created what is essentially a 23-ft tall outdoor air purifier to help clean the air of some of the world’s most polluted cities.
The structure uses ion technology to attract about 30,000 cubic meters of pollution per hour and operates almost exclusively on wind energy. While the amount of pollution one of these towers can filter is just a drop in the bucket for China’s polluted cities, deploying them in large numbers around the country could create a significant impact. Similarly to photovoltaic solar panels, one may not provide much benefit, but when used in large numbers, their output increases exponentially.
In an effort to raise funds for the project, Roosegaarde launched a Kickstarter campaign where backers could receive cubes, rings, and cufflinks made from the compressed particulate matter, mainly carbon, collected from the filter. According to the Kickstarter page, each Smog Free ring acts as a symbol of 1000 cubic meters of clean air.
The campaign raised €113,153, easily surpassing its goal of €50,000. It is thanks to the funds raised through the Kickstarter campaign that allowed the Smog Free Project to travel and open in Beijing on Sept. 29. The filter will also travel to additional Chinese cities and is looking into traveling to India and other countries around the world, as well.
Related Stories
| Dec 17, 2013
Nation's largest net-zero K-12 school among winners of 2013 Best of Green Schools award
The Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving, Texas, was named a winner of USGBC's annual award, along with nine other schools, individuals and communities working toward the common goal of healthy, high-performing learning places.
| Dec 16, 2013
Irving, Texas building state’s second net-zero school
Lee Elementary School, scheduled to open in fall 2014, will be net-zero-ready, and if the school board decides to sell district bonds and allow the purchase of additional solar panels, will be a true net-zero facility.
| Dec 10, 2013
16 great solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
From a crowd-funded smart shovel to a why-didn’t-someone-do-this-sooner scheme for managing traffic in public restrooms, these ideas are noteworthy for creative problem-solving. Here are some of the most intriguing innovations the BD+C community has brought to our attention this year.
| Dec 9, 2013
What is life cycle cost optioneering?
Life cycle cost optioneering is a way of assessing alternative design options, analyzing their long-term capital and operational costs to identify those with the lowest price tag, over the entire life cycle.
| Dec 9, 2013
Skaneateles, N.Y., converts old firehouse to net-zero village hall
The Finger Lakes village of Skaneateles, N.Y., renovated its vacant firehouse into Skaneateles Village Hall, the first municipal net-zero energy building in the state of New York.
| Dec 2, 2013
Security is key component of Army’s net-zero assessment strategy
For the U.S. Army, creating secure sources of energy is an important driver for its net zero goals. Critical military missions are at a high risk of failure in the event of an electric grid failure, according to a Defense Science Board report.
| Nov 27, 2013
LEED for Healthcare offers new paths to green
LEED for Healthcare debuted in spring 2011, and certifications are now beginning to roll in. They include the new Puyallup (Wash.) Medical Center and the W.H. and Elaine McCarty South Tower at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin.
| Nov 27, 2013
University reconstruction projects: The 5 keys to success
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the environmental, economic, and market pressures affecting facility planning for universities and colleges, and outlines current approaches to renovations for critical academic spaces.
| Nov 25, 2013
New California codes moving state toward net-zero requirements
Under the new Title 24, all new residential construction must be net zero by 2020, with all new commercial buildings achieving this goal by 2030.
| Nov 22, 2013
Health Product Declaration Collaborative to develop protocol for third-party verification of HPDs
Seven leading product sustainability assessment companies partner with the HPD Collaborative to develop the verification and quality assurance protocols.
