Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian girl living in Connecticut, USA, has invented an affordable air filter to reduce the spread of airborne diseases in schools.
Designed with simple materials—box fans, furnace filters, duct tape, and cardboard—Shokunbi’s air purifier costs around $60 per unit, making it an accessible alternative to commercial air purifiers.
With support from scientists at the University of Connecticut, her invention was rigorously tested and received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency for eliminating over 99% of airborne viruses.
This achievement led the Connecticut State Bond Commission to approve $11.5 million for implementing Shokunbi’s air filters in schools across the state as part of UConn’s SAFE-CT program. Shokunbi hopes to see her design adopted nationwide, emphasizing the importance of scientific solutions for improving children’s health.
