A Simple Low-cost solution for rising Air Pollution
Troubled by the rising pollution emissions in Delhi, a 17-year-old Indian student from Westminster University designs a low-cost filter that could be retrofitted to the most small vehicles.
Outdoor air pollution is one of the world’s largest health and environmental problems one that tends to worsen for countries as they industrialize and transition from low to middle incomes.
"6% of global deaths are attributed to outdoor air pollution”. An estimated 3.4 million people died prematurely as a result of outdoor air pollution in 2017. This means that outdoor air pollution was responsible for 6% of global deaths. In some countries, it accounts for 10% of deaths, or higher. (Source: Our world in data). One year ago (1/15/19), WHO listed the 10 greatest health threats the world faces and set out how it will tackle them over the coming year(s). #1 on the list was action on air pollution and climate change, a growing crisis as WHO estimates that around 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air every day.
There is also growing evidence that long-term exposure to air pollution can have important impacts on other aspects of health and wellbeing – such as cognitive function. Pollution has adverse effects on our immune system as well. A well-functioning immune system is vital for a healthy body. Inadequate and excessive immune responses underlie diverse pathologies such as serious infections, metastatic malignancies and auto-immune conditions. During winters, the Air pollution in the National Capital Region in India reaches alarming levels during the winters. Solutions are limited.
Vayu Singhal is a 17-year-old, A-Level student at London's top-rated Westminster School. On his frequent visits to Delhi, he was always concerned about the level of pollution being emitted, and he got down to designing a low-cost filter that could be retrofitted to the most polluting small vehicles.
The air filter works in two stages - the first is a regular air filter, that filters out the larger particulates. The second uses electrically charged plates, which attract the particulates to them. The particulates are later collected in a removable bag for disposal. The charging plates and the filter are both easily changeable, making it ideal for long-term use and keeping the low cost of the filter.
The air filter is very cheap, costing under $5 per unit, and is very simple to produce. Using a two-stage filtration process it removes a vast majority of particulates from the exhaust fumes from auto-rickshaws and motorcycles, which are incredibly harmful to the respiratory system, causing severe damage to the lungs, as well as harming the natural environment. It can be powered using solar power, further contributing to its minimal environmental impact.
Although the government in making every effort by introducing CNG powered vehicles, to tackle high levels of particulate emission from auto-rickshaws. The access to unofficial, less pure fuel sources, as well as potential cost barriers to upgrading, mean that the level of particulate emission remains far higher than acceptable. An issue this air filter aims to tackle through its accessibility and low cost.
Such innovations are the need of the hour when 95% of the world population are exposed to mean concentrations of particulate matter which exceed the WHO recommended limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter. Levels of air pollution in rich countries are much lower than in the past to limit the health impacts of air pollution we must find solutions which accelerate this process for low-to-middle income countries.
Author
Dr. Ruchi V Dass
Dr. Ruchi Dass, currently Founder & Managing Director at the HealthCursor Consulting Group, is regarded as one of the leading global innovators in the Healthcare ICT and Public Health sector. She has spearheaded development and rollout of Innovative healthcare programs across the world. Dr. Dass has previously held innovation roles with Apollo Group of Hospitals, Bosch, GSMA, WHO, IFC and Ashoka changemakers foundation.