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AssetID: 31560845

Headline: Smog Free Tower Aims To Bring Clean Air To Smog Fueled Cities

Caption: **SUPPORTING VIDEOS AVAILABLE. CONTACT HAYLEY.CHAMBERLAIN@COVER-IMAGES.COM TO RECEIVE.** A Dutch artist and innovator has developed the "largest smog vacuum cleaner in the world" to tackle air pollution in cities. The Smog Free Tower, created by Daan Roosegaarde, creates a circular zone of clean air for city dwellers to experience and enjoy. The seven metre tall structure cleans 30,000 cubic metres per hour using ozone-free ion technology and a small amount of green electricity. It collects more than 75 per cent of the airborne smog particles, releasing a 360 degree range of clean air around the structure. The tower was unveiled on 4 September 2015 at Vierhavensstraat 52, following a successful Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project. "The Smog Free Tower produces smog-free bubbles of public space, allowing people to breathe and experience clean air for free," Roosegaarde said in a statement. The smog is sucked in through its top, then the purified air is released through vents on the six sides. Its patented technology works in a similar way to air purification systems used in hospitals. Air pollution frequently reaches hazardous levels in many cities across the world. Roosegaarde claims that life expectancy in the Netherlands is nine months shorter than it should be due to smog. "We humans have created machines to enhance ourselves, we invented the wheel and cars to liberate ourselves and travel," added Roosegaarde. "But now these machines are striking back, making air extremely polluted in high-density cities." After its stint in Rotterdam, the Smog Free Tower is due to travel around the world to various cities including Mumbai and Beijing. Roosegaarde is also making use of the collected smog particles – turning them into jewellery items. The dust removed from 1,000 cubic metres of air is compressed and sealed within a resin cube, which is used as an embellishment for a ring or a cufflink.

Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,design,technology,future,health,well being,city,building,architecture,pollution

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