Dyson has announced an air humidifier to help prevent chapped lips, blocked sinuses and cracked skin. The humidifier, which will launch in Japan first before coming to the UK in March 2015, uses ultraviolet light to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria found in water before humidifying the air.
Best-known for vacuum cleaners and bladeless fans this is Dyson’s first humidifier. The new technology cost £37.5 million to develop and will be sold in the UK through Dyson and John Lewis.
Dyson said that dry air in households in winter can exacerbate eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. Lips and skin can also become chapped and sore, while those susceptible to viruses are also vulnerable to dry air.
Humidifiers, which release water into the air, can cause further problems by introducing water-based bacteria.. To prevent this Dyson’s humidifier uses ultraviolet light to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria in the water before circulating it around the room. The design of the Dyson humidifier is based on the company’s bladeless fans.
It holds three litres of water and cleans it for 18 hours before circulating it around the room. It measures temperature and moisture in the air and adjusts its settings accordingly. In order to clean water an element at the base of the humidifier vibrates 1.7 million times a second to break the water down into microscopic particles. The water is then drawn up the machine and put into the air.
"Humidifiers are a way to create a more hygienic environment at home. Using patented UV light technology our humidifier kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria in the machine before projecting hydrated mist evenly throughout the room," said James Dyson.
