IKEA Singapore will be launching air-purifying GUNRID curtains.

How to IKEA's air purifying curtains work?

According to IKEA, a team of engineers, specialists and designers have developed a product that will help to clean the air in our homes.

IKEA's product developer, Mauricio Affonso, stated that the curtain will be a cheap and convenient way to clean the air in homes.

“We wanted to create a simple, convenient and affordable way to clean air that wouldn’t take up much space in people’s homes.

We were also curious about creating a product that is multifunctional and that would help break down air pollutants that many air purifiers leave behind."

This product is an air purifying curtain, called GUNRID, which is made of a material that is coated with a mineral-based photocatalyst, which breaks down indoor air pollutants, such as formaldehyde and odours.

Mauricio explained that the photocatalyst used in IKEA's curtain is activated by indoor light.

The photocatalyst in the curtain is activated by light energy to convert harmful particles into the air, such as VOCs, into other less harmful compounds.

While IKEA did not name what it used for the curtains, some examples of photocatalysts, include titanium, zinc or iron.

According to a study done in 2010, the photocatalysts can remove harmful compounds in indoor and outdoor air, that contain sulphur and nitrogen.

CNA Lifestyle reported that the air-purifying GUNRID curtains will be available in IKEA Singapore in Apr. 2020 in three colours and will costs S$49.90 for a pair of curtains.

Are air-purifying products necessary in homes?

According to United Nations (UN), close to 70 percent of the world's population will live in urban areas, such as cities, by 2050.

With more people living in cities, urban growth can lead to a rise in air pollution, from vehicles, and even from furniture and electronic equipment.

In a scientific study, indoor air quality is affected by household items, such as sofas, dining tables, cupboards and refrigerators.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these household products consist of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), of which some are harmful and can cause the following health effects:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
• Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
• Some organics can cause cancer in both humans and animals

Singapore also experiences bouts of haze, from time to time.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), this can have a negative impact to the heart and lungs.

Other products that can purify the air

While IKEA's curtains might help with removing certain harmful compounds, it is not the only company whose products remove harmful air pollutants from your home.

According to a study by NASA, some types of plants can remove harmful VOCs from your home.

Here are some of them:

Another company, Gush, produces locally-innovated paint which breaks down VOCs in your home.

Top photos via IKEA's website