Air pollution is a global health crisis.
Earlier this week, UNICEF revealed that toxic air is a major contributing factor in the deaths of 600,000 children under the age of five each year.
Now, a Dutch company is attempting to tackle the problem with what it calls the world’s first giant outside air vacuum cleaner.
Tests on Envinity Group’s device revealed it filters 100% of fine particles caused by emissions from burning wood, other fuels and industrial combustion.
Meanwhile, it filtered 95% of ultra fine particles released from vehicles and aeroplanes.
The huge hoover is designed to be placed on city centre rooftop buildings and can filter 800,000 cubic feet of air an hour, according to tests at the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands.
What’s more, it can process air from a 300 metre radius.
Henk Boersen, a spokesperson for the Envinity Group, told AFP that governments, businesses and airports were already interested in the project.