British innovator Dyson introduces humidifier using UV light to kill bugs

Branching out from its famed bag-less vacuum cleaners and blade-less fans, British technology innovator Dyson has introduced its first humidifier in Japan, Express & Star reported.

The gadget cost the company £37.5 million to develop. It uses British inventor Sir James Dyson's patented Ultraviolet Cleanse technology to kill practically all bacteria in the water before it enters the air with a double-dose of ultraviolet light.

The particles of water sucked up through the machine's loop amplifier and are projected through the air, with a form of the technology already in use in the company's bladel-ess fans.

According to the company, 643 prototypes were developed during the humidifier's production, and over 32 new test methods.

While 275 patents are granted on the humidifier with 130 patents pending, the Ultraviolet Cleanse technology is protected by five patents.

The machine was launched in Japan today, and it would go on sale in the UK from March for between £400 and £500.

According to company founder Sir James Dyson, known for inventing bagl-ess cleaners and bladel-ess fans, humidifiers were a way to create a more hygienic environment at home.

He added, using patented UV light technology, the company's humidifier kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria in the machine before projecting hydrated mist evenly throughout the room.

The company said the humidifier, could combat chapped lips, blocked sinuses and dehydrated skin.

On an average people breathe 22,000 times a day and spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, but breathing dry household air can exacerbate breathing problems for allergy sufferers and also increase the susceptibility of the body to viruses, The Telegraph reported.

In the winter the air gets dryer, which can cause chapped lips, blocked sinuses, eczema psoriasis, thyroid disorders and acne. Dry air can also exacerbate snoring leaving nasal hairs brittle rendering people susceptible to cold and flu.

In certain parts of the world, like Japan, many people keep their humidifiers on when they sleep in order to maintain healthy skin and help to protect against the health problems associated with under humidified air.

But Dyson claims despite their possible health benefits, existing humidifiers could be unhygienic, as they could harbour bacteria, which they circulate around the home when the machines were turned on.

The Dyson humidifier can adjust its performance by measuring the temperature level and the moisture in the air.

Earlier this year Dyson, who invented the blade-less fans in 2009, introduced the second generation of its fans, that are up to 75 per cent quieter than their predecessors (See: Dyson unveils new ultra-quiet second-generation blade-less fans)