10 June,2009 09:30 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
A newly developed pollution-controlling machine, which is likely to cost Rs 5,000, brings down suspended particle matter per cubic metre drastically
The pollution level in the house of industrialist G N Gadgil on the highly polluted Tilak Road was 4.56 SPM (suspended particle matter) per cubic metre at 8 am on Friday. At noon it was 2.57 SPM per cubic metre. At 4 pm it was 1.22 SPM and at 8 pm, 0.78 SPM per cubic metre.
This amazing feat was achieved by using a newly developed pollution-controlling machine, Airon, created by Dr DB Chavan, a senior scientist, and was launched recently by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
Other tests
The device is based on the negative ion generator principle. Chavan has been researching on the device for the last four years and made 10 such domestic units of Airon for initial testing and installed them at various houses in the city.u00a0 It was tested at Pashan, Karve Nagar and the Paud Road area, and here too the SPM has reduced drastically as the day went by. Installation of the machine led to a reduction in level of SPM, as well as carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide in the air.
Airon is likely to be introduced in the market nest year and will cost aroundRs 5,000.
How Airon works
The two-watt power device has a capacity to cover an area of 1,000 sq ft in the house. Once plugged, the negative air ions, which are basically carbon particles, get attached to the aerosols and form a mass, and settle down near the machine. This makes the air clear, and makes it easier to breathe.
