Designer of filter to protect babies from pollution targets Chinese market

A pram with Brizi. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The inventor of a device designed to create a "clean air barrier" that protects babies and young children from air pollution is targeting China.

London-based Yosi Romano spent three years developing the Brizi – a cushioned air filter which fits to a child's buggy or pram.

With air quality being a major problem in China, Romano said he believes the invention will be beneficial there.

The device works by triggering a fan filter when a portable sensor detects air pollution reaching "dangerous levels".

The fan filter then delivers 1.5 liters of clean filtered air every 10 seconds, forming a clean air barrier in the infant’s breathing area.

An app shows which routes are more polluted than others.

"By taking a child outside in a pram they are more exposed to pollution than an adult who would be pushing that pram," Romano said. "Children are more susceptive to the affects from pollution. With Brizi they will be able to breathe filtered air to avoid that pollution."

Romano said the system can reduce the levels of harmful gasses and particles in a child's breathing area by up to 80 percent.

"The product will definitely be taken to China, we know about the levels of pollution there," he said.

The developer came up with the idea after taking his new-born daughter out in her pram through busy London streets.

He became aware that children in prams are at far greater risk from pollutants because they're closer to the ground and vehicle exhaust pipes.

While air pollution is bad for everyone, it's particularly harmful to young children whose immune system and lungs are not fully developed.

Brizihas launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise 105,000 pounds ($141,000) to fund production costs.