12-YEAR-OLD NIGERIAN-AMERICAN STUDENT DESIGNS LOW-COST AIR FILTER SYSTEM

Having the proper air filtration system can be the difference between protecting and not protecting those who are the most vulnerable from airborne diseases. Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian-American from Connecticut, saw a need to address this crucial public health problem and has designed a low-cost air filter system to combat airborne diseases in schools.

The fifth grade student’s invention is particularly aimed at enhancing classroom safety during pandemics, such as the COVID-19 outbreak. Shokunbi, a student at Commodore MacDonough STEM Academy in Middletown, was inspired to develop the air filter as part of a school project which focused on finding solutions to ensure school safety during potential future health crises.

Shokunbi’s design is both simple and effective. The filter system is built using a combination of affordable materials: a box fan, four furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard. This results in a production cost of about $60 per unit, making it a highly cost-effective alternative to commercial air purifiers. The filter works by drawing air through the sides of the box and expelling it from the top after it has been cleaned. “The air goes through all the sides, and it comes out of the top,” Shokunbi explained in a recent interview with NBC Connecticut.

With the help of scientists from the University of Connecticut (UConn), Shokunbi’s design was rigorously tested, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirming that the system effectively filters out over 99% of airborne viruses. This validation highlights the potential of Shokunbi’s air filter to significantly reduce the spread of airborne diseases in school classrooms.

The design has already received strong backing from Connecticut’s state government. Recently, the Connecticut State Bond Commission approved $11.5 million in funding to implement these air filters in schools across the state. This funding is part of the SAFE-CT (Supplemental Air Filtration for Education) program, which aims to provide essential air purification systems in public school classrooms, ensuring a safer environment for students and teachers.

“Eniola is fabulous,” State Senator Matt Lesser told the new outlet. “She wows every room she’s in front of. She’s a real rock star.”

Shokunbi’s vision extends beyond Connecticut. She hopes her air filters will be adopted in classrooms across the United States. “A lot of people don’t realize that the only thing standing between them and getting sick is science,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of investing in scientific solutions for children’s health, highlighting the critical role of innovation in safeguarding public health.

Congratulations, Eniola! With out a doubt, we know that we will be seeing much more of you in the future!

Photo: Screenshot NBC Connecticut; Funmike Shokunbi