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First in-car air purifier proven to remove invisible toxic gases, launches in the UK

What Mobile
November 12, 2018

Launched this past week, airbubbl is the first air purifier proven to give full protection to drivers from dangerous air pollutants. Exposure to air pollution inside vehicles is the equivalent of passively smoking 180 cigarettes each year for the average driver or passenger who sits in traffic for an hour each day.

The first in-car air purifier proven to effectively remove harmful pollutants and over 95% of dangerous gases from a vehicle, airbubbl, has been launched and is available in the UK today. The product is designed to address the health risks caused by air inside cars, polluted by traffic emissions containing nitrogen dioxide, ozone and fine particles. Levels of air pollution can be significantly higher inside the vehicle than outside, with one study suggesting that exposure can be up to 140% higher depending on traffic conditions.

The product, which has been developed by a team of atmospheric chemists and airflow engineers from research institutes in the UK and Denmark, removes the most dangerous pollutants from the air inside the car, ensuring the driver and passengers rapidly breathe cleaner, healthier air.

Many of Britain’s most popular car’s air-conditioning systems have been shown to be ineffective at filtering toxic particles and pollutants in cars. A recent in-car test on some of London’s most polluted streets showed that the airbubbl removes more than 95% of nitrogen dioxide in under 12 minutes. The airbubbl also removes the toxic gas ozone, VOC’s, fine particulates such as PM2.5 and PM10 and bacteria and odour, from the air inside a car.

Drivers and their passengers are at very high risk of the harmful effects of air pollution because toxic gases from exhausts can pass straight through car air filters and accumulate inside a car, posing a significant health risk. For the average car commuter who sits in traffic for an hour each day, exposure to air pollution inside their vehicle is the equivalent of passively smoking 180 cigarettes each year.

Marc Ottolini CEO of Airlabs, the manufacturer of airbubbl, said; “Whether you are a car commuter, a parent on the school run or someone who drives for a living, unfortunately, you currently spend a great deal of time inside your car breathing in dangerous gases and pollutants on a daily basis. And for those with respiratory issues, the problem is even more pronounced.”

“We all recognise and are worried by the risks of active and passive smoking, but just being in a vehicle can be just as bad for your health. We want people to understand these risks and help them make the car a healthier environment.”

The portable airbubbl features powerful patented airflow design and can be controlled via a mobile app that feeds back statistics on the amount of air that has been cleaned.

It fastens behind the front car seat’s headrest and plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter. It sucks in polluted air that’s inside the car, traps nitrogen dioxide and other gases on a unique, patented, carbon filter and removes particulates. Through airbubbl’s advanced airflow design, clean air is directed at head height to the driver and passengers.

The stylish, easy-to-use air purifier is available for purchase on the airbubbl website and on Amazon, RRP £299.99.

Exposure to air pollution has been described as a ‘national health emergency’ in the UK; it is linked to around 40,000 early deaths per year, and an average life expectancy loss per person of approximately six months. It has also been linked to cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and changes associated with dementia.

About Airlabs

Airlabs is one of the world’s leading pioneers in clean air technology. With 91% of the world’s population exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution, Airlabs’ mission is to clean polluted urban air and make it fit for healthy breathing.

Its international team of atmospheric chemistry scientists, airflow engineers and sensor specialists has developed cutting edge and scientifically proven solutions for measuring and mapping urban air quality, removing all pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, from urban air and delivering clean air to where it matters most. Airlabs’ unique Nano Filter technology can be used to provide clean air zones across a city – both indoors and outdoors.

Last week Airlabs launched four clean air zones at London’s Marylebone Train Station. This project, in partnership with BNP Paribas, Chiltern Railways and JC Decaux, brings significant improvement to the air quality in the busiest areas of the station.  Previous installations in London have included clean air bus shelters in partnership with the Body Shop to create clean air zones for commuters and the first clean air retail store – the Stella McCartney store on New Bond Street. Airlabs also provided the technology behind Michael Pinsky’s ‘Pollution Pods’ installation at Somerset House.

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