Dyson Zone: Do we really need headphones that purify air?

Dyson, the British maker of high-end vacuums and hair tools, on Wednesday unveiled headphones that double as a personal air purifier.

The new device, called the Zone, is comprised of over-the-ear headphones and a visor that runs across the mouth and nose, creating a clean air bubble for the user while simultaneously blocking city noise. The design is expected to hit stores this fall.

While it may look like something out of a sci-fi movie, tens of millions of people across the globe already struggle with harmful air and noise. The WHO estimates nine in 10 people globally breathe air that exceeds its guideline pollutant limits with countries like Bangladesh, India and China suffering such intense smog that it sometimes halts business and shuts down schools. More than 100 million people, around 20% of the European population, are exposed to long-term noise exposure above WHO guidance.

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