At this very moment, around 90% of the European population living in cities is exposed to air pollution levels exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines levels.
Average life expectancy in the European Union is estimated to be 8.6 months lower due to exposure to Particulate Matter (PM) resulting from human activities. The inhalation of particulate matter can lead to asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular and other respiratory diseases, birth defects, and premature death.
The European Commission has launched a €3 million prize to improve air quality in cities, targeting innovative materials to reduce the concentration of PM in the air.
The prize will be awarded to the most affordable, sustainable and innovative design-driven material solution that can reduce the concentration of particulate matter in urban areas.
If you are interested in submitting a product, you can do it until 23 January 2018. The rules of contest are available online. EFA thinks that this kind of prizes can help to raise awareness on the problems but most importantly on the solutions, innovation and opportunities to improve our environment and the air we breathe.
To know more about air quality, visit our section on air polllution.