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Smog Eating Cement

You’ve heard of self-cleaning ovens? That’s nothing. In Italy, architects are going wild over a new technology that raises the possibility of self-cleaning cities!

By adding titanium dioxide to cement, mortar, plaster and paint, an Italian company has created a product that turns buildings and streets into “smog-eating” structures. The technology, called TX Active, works by speeding up natural oxidation processes that help transform harmful pollutants – such as carbon monoxide, benzene and nitrogen oxide – into less harmful substances.

It not only helps to break down air pollutants, such as smog, it prevents build-up on surfaces, so that the buildings and streets actually stay cleaner-looking longer.

This smog-eating technology isn’t meant to replace programs that reduce pollution at its source. But it could be an added benefit for cities that hope to tackle air quality problems in as many ways as possible.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org