There’s a new way to measure air-quality without tuning into the local news.
NYU graduate students, Nien Lam and Sue Ngo have designed sweatshirts that change color when exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide. The images of a human heart or set of lungs emblazoned on the front of each piece change color to reveal blue veins when the wearer comes in contact with air pollutants like cigarette smoke and car exhaust.
According to the American Lung Association, six in ten Americans live in places where air pollution levels are dangerously polluted. Smoking contributes to 440,000 deaths each year and the dry tobacco used to make cigarettes contributes to the destruction of 600 million trees per year.
The duo hopes their designs will create awareness about air pollution. They are also considering a line of clothing to reflect alcohol consumption.
