Emissions curtailed

Curtains and drapes will soon be turned into pollution control systems. They will be made of thin graphite sheets, which when hung inside a room or factory will absorb most atmospheric pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and carbon, fumes of kerosene and strong-smelling acids and alkalis that cause respiratory and other ailments. The molecular structure of graphite is such that clean air, which has a lighter structure compared to pollutants, passes through easily while heavier substances like dust and fumes get absorbed, says O P Behl of the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, who has developed this technology.