Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian-American student from Connecticut, has invented an innovative air filter system to reduce the spread of airborne diseases in US schools.
The Connecticut State Bond Commission has approved $11.5 million in funding for Shokunbi’s design, which targets creating low-cost air filters for classrooms.
Shokunbi, a fifth-grader at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy, developed the air filter system as a solution to enhance school safety during potential future pandemics. Her design uses a simple combination of components: a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard.
The device has undergone rigorous testing with support from University of Connecticut scientists and has been confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to eliminate over 99% of airborne viruses.
The air filter’s remarkably low production cost of approximately $60 per unit makes it an affordable alternative to commercial air purifiers.
The $11.5 million funding is part of UConn’s SAFE-CT program, aiming to provide air purification systems in every public school classroom.
Shokunbi hopes to see her air filters implemented nationwide, emphasizing the importance of investing in scientific solutions for children’s health.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” Shokunbi said.
