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
| Apr 27, 2012
Hampton Bays Middle School winner of the first National Green Ribbon Schools Program
School was the first LEED-certified public school in the state of New York.
| Apr 26, 2012
USGBC announces inaugural Green Apple Day of Service
On Sept. 29, 2012, participants from all over the world will volunteer to make the schools and campuses in their communities healthier and more sustainable.
| Apr 26, 2012
Orange County, Fla. high school receives NAIOP “Public Development of the Year” award
School replacement designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Williams Co.
| Apr 25, 2012
Bubble skyscraper design aims to purify drinking water
The Freshwater Skyscraper will address the issue of increasing water scarcity through a process known as transpiration
| Apr 25, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti/Fore Solutions provides consulting for Biologics Support Center
Project receives LEED Gold Certification.
| Apr 25, 2012
McCarthy introduces high school students to a career in construction
High school students from the ACE Mentoring Program tour the new CHOC Children’s Patient Tower in Orange, Calif.
| Apr 25, 2012
J.C. Anderson selected for 50,000-sf build out at Chicago’s DePaul University
The build-out will consist of the construction of new offices, meeting rooms, video rooms and a state-of-the-art multi-tiered Trading Room.
| Apr 24, 2012
ULI Real Estate Consensus Forecast, projects improvements for the real estate industry through 2014
Survey is based on opinions from 38 of the nation’s leading real estate economists and analysts and suggests a marked increase in commercial real estate activity, with total transaction volume expected to rise from $250 billion in 2012 to $312 billion in 2014.
| Apr 24, 2012
McLennan named Ashoka Fellow
McLennan was recognized for his work on the Living Building Challenge.
| Apr 24, 2012
AECOM design and engineering team realizes NASA vision for Sustainability Base
LEED Platinum facility opens at NASA Ames Research Center at California’s Moffett Field.