Beyond The Village

“Air purifiers are running out fast in Thailand’s northern province, as wealthier residents scramble to acquire the devices to ease the impacts of the choking air pollution from local and cross-border forest and farm fires.”
“About 64% of Northern Province’s population lives below the poverty line, many belonging to marginalized ethnic minorities like the Karen and Hmong. They are among the most socially deprived and discriminated-against groups in Thailand. With limited access to basic services like health and education, the average Karen household earns just 822 USD annually”

Journey to 600 air purifiers

Our goal is to distribute 600 DIY air purifiers to mountain villages before the smog season kicks in in March 2024.

“About 64% of Northern Province’s population lives below the poverty line, many belonging to marginalized ethnic minorities like the Karen and Hmong. They are among the most socially deprived and discriminated-against groups in Thailand. With limited access to basic services like health and education, the average Karen household earns just 822 USD annually”

DIY Difference

Affordable yet effective, DIY air purifiers foster self-reliance in healthcare, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases and potential medical expenses. Modeled after Chiang Mai Rajabhat University’s AiroTEC Center design, they are accessible, easy to assemble, and can be modified for dust-free rooms (positive pressure rooms) at home. Studies demonstrate their effectiveness in improving indoor air quality.

DIY Positive Pressure Room

On days with extreme dust levels, such as AQI 300 µg/m³, we modify our homes to positive pressure and use the DIY air purifiers as air replenishment units The key to creating a positive pressure home or room is to ensure it is sealed off, preventing outside air from entering.
Adding air to the house increases indoor pressure above outdoor levels, preventing dust entry and improving air quality, even without an air purifier. Air added indoors increases oxygen, dilutes carbon dioxide, and keeps out dust, enhancing freshness and reducing the need for multiple air purifiers.

7 steps to create a DIY positive pressure room

Positive Pressure Room
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Facts Sheet:

  • Setup: Under 30 minutes, costing less than 1,500 baht, a fraction compared to factory-made OAU air purifiers (10,000-25,000 baht) excluding ongoing filter expenses.
  • Filter lifespan: About 3 weeks in tests with 16 hours daily use in AQI conditions above 120; extending it is possible by wrapping a Hepa sheet (around 20 Baht online) around the filter.
  • Monthly electricity cost: 240 Baht (24/7 operation at 8 Baht per day).

Contact Us

We provide equipment and guidance for creating simple dust-free rooms at no cost. Schools, hospitals, communities, and individuals with limited budgets for smog season preparations can seek assistance by reaching out to mail to

info@beyondthevillage.co

@btv1

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