Upon
the return of the first space flights and many analyses, NASA
discovered a high level of toxic volatile compounds in the
astronauts' body tissues. The
American spacecraft mostly constructed of plastic, fibreglass,
insulating materials and fire retardants gradually poisoned the
astronauts.
The same effect was
experienced in our living spaces. Each
manufactured product gives off or - more precisely - emits even
several years after having been manufactured.
This is invisible
and imperceptible by humans, the products and equipment constantly
give off the volatile components of which the material is made of.
The wooden table
off-gases pentachlorophenol from its' fungicides, the paint emits
the trichlorethylene from its' binders (Listed N° 2 in the
carcinogenic
substances).
Formaldehyde
(listed as a "definite carcinogenic" by the World Health
Organization) also off-gases fumes from plastic furniture, glues,
insulating materials, domestic cleaning products, etc...
ANDREA is a
living air filter which absorbs undesirable effects of contaminated
air by the profusion of manufactured goods. It
takes in the air from the room and absorbs its' toxic compounds.
ANDREA uses plants
selected for their filtering ability. (The
gerbera,the
philodendron,
the
spathiphyllum,
the
pathos
and the chlorophytum
are among the plants found to be most effective.)
The air which passes
through the ANDREA is purified by the leaves and roots of the plant.
Date : 2009
Edition: Le Laboratoire
In collaboration with David Edwards, Harvard University
Materials : Ventilator, polycarbonate, plant
Dimensions : diameter 32 cm, height : 45 cm
Permanent collection of Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris
Best Invention Award, Popular Science, USA
Buy now :
http://www.andreaair.com
