Respire

Air pollution remains a prominent threat to global society, having cascading effects on individuals, medical systems, ecosystem health, and economies in both developing and developed countries [1]. About 90% of global citizens live in areas that exceed the safe level in the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines [1].

The burden of acute and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is higher in developing countries due to huge economic and social disparities, as well as the use of biomass fuels as an energy resource [2]. The market for air purification applications is large and growing, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many filter materials used today are fabricated using petroleum products, an unsustainable source [3].

This project aims to develop an air filtration system using bio-based, sustainable materials, with applications in mask and air purifier production. The main component of this system will be cellulose, which can be sustainably and affordably sourced from agricultural waste, such as corn husks and has shown the ability to capture small particulates and toxic chemicals that current petroleum product-based filters cannot [4].

The use of sustainably sourced materials introduces the opportunity for local production and use of this system in underdeveloped areas where medical resources are lacking.