Last seen as an Invention Award-winning prototype in 2008, the Andrea air purifier hits shelves this October

Andrea

Think that newly installed carpet is clean? Think again: potentially dangerous compounds are used in the production of carpet, paint, and upholstery -- and any ol' air purifier won't be able to catch 'em. The Andrea air purifier from Le Laboratoire does more than your run-of-the-mill number, which only grab allergens like dust and pollen, by using plants to remove chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde.

This isn't the first we've heard of the Bel-Air technology used in Andrea purifiers; the filtration system won a 2008 Invention Award, but was only in the prototype stage at the time.

Together with French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, Harvard professor David Edwards has created a home air purification system that takes advantage of plants' own internal, natural filtration. Fans inside the Andrea move air through the leaves, roots and soil; though the roots are capable of capturing more toxins than either the leaves or soil. After air has been pulled and pushed through the system through a vent on the side.

How Andrea Works
How Andrea Works:

Early tests showed the system reduced the formaldehyde concentration in a room by 80 percent in one hour. What's more, the system will work with any houseplant; though there are some that are better filtration agents than others. Peace lilies, spider plants, and aloe vera are particularly effective.

Andrea will go on sale on October 8 for $200.

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18 Comments

I would buy one if they weren't 200 each. Maybe 50? 60? Maybe I'm just too cheap. But great idea!

Don't worry poopshoop. I am sure that within a month someone will have made an instuctables on this.

Don't worry poopshoop. I am sure that within a month someone will have made an instuctables on this.

Don't worry poopshoop. I am sure that within a month someone will have made an instuctables on this.

"no officer, i'm not growing pot, i'm purifying the air!"

i want a little mini purifier wiht a mini plant to purify my car

I would love to see an industrial size version of this run at plants all around the country or the world.

This sort of thing is wonderful and growing plants are one of the most efficient ways of sequestering carbon there is out there.

this sounds all well and fine, but how much can it convert in how much time? i doubt this is efficient.

@extremechiton

It is a passive system and it would not work well in your car. The atmosphere in your car is turned over many times an hour by driving with windows open, having the climate control system on, etc.

It would make a good conversation piece, but would be highly impractical.

This product does the exact same thing as self-watering pots with an exposed grate bottom suspended over a water dish with a wick to draw water to the roots. The open-air nature allows the roots to absorb airborne toxins as well as the foliage itself.

$200.00 marketing ploy. Visit a garden center, spend $200.00 and you can fill your abode with 10 nice house plants.

--GTO--

Houseplants and a room fan does the same thing. I'm sure this increases the efficiency of one plant, but there is no reason not to just include more plants in your house (not to mention, they aid healthy humidity to the air).

Seems like a cool idea. I'm getting married in a month and during my funny groom speeches I'm gonna give one of these out to my ushers, should be pretty funny!

Think that newly installed carpet is clean? Think again: potentially dangerous compounds are used in the production of carpet, paint, and upholstery -- and any ol' air purifier won't be able to catch 'em. auto transport brokers The Andrea air purifier from Le Laboratoire does more than your run-of-the-mill number, which only grab allergens like dust and pollen, by using plants to remove chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde.

Good info.

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Now this is a brilliant option for clean air in the home. We have often forgotten the simple approaches that increase the beauty of the home, whilst maintaining a balanced healthy interior.

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Seems like a cool idea. I'm getting married in a month and during my funny groom speeches I'm gonna give one of these out to my ushers, should be pretty funny!

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this is really good for life , if i have enough budgets i will some for my family. thanks for posting this wonderful thing.

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I love the idea of Andrea, but $200 each is a little bit too pricey for me. When I think about it, new products will surely be a bit more expensive in the beginning. These are some nice gifts to buy for family and friends, you just have to save up money first and then start with the buying.
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