Anchors of Change: Navigating to Clean Air | Susan Blanchet | TEDxUPV Women

Key Concepts:

• Air pollution and its health impacts (shortened lifespan, Alzheimer's, dementia)
• HEPA filters vs. biofilters (genetically enhanced plants)
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Indoor air quality
• Entrepreneurship and overcoming adversity
• The importance of pursuing one's passion and giving back

1. The Problem: Toxic Air and Its Health Consequences

• The speaker, Susan Blanchett, CEO of BC Corp Origin Air Purifiers, emphasizes that the air we breathe contains toxins that shorten our lives.
• Air pollution is the second leading cause of death, reducing the average lifespan by 2.5 years.
• Examples: The youngest diagnosed case of Alzheimer's is a 19-year-old in a chemical-producing capital in China. Studies in Mexico City found Alzheimer's plaques in the brains of very young children.
• Air pollution is a leading cause of dementia.

2. Susan's Personal Journey and Motivation

• Susan's early experiences shaped her interest in environmental issues, including reading Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring."
• She worked as an environmental lawyer for 14 years, holding operators accountable for contaminated sites.
• Frustration with the government's lack of action on contaminated sites led to a personal crisis.
• Her father's early-onset dementia at age 51, attributed to his work in toxic environments (wastewater treatment plant and aluminum smelter), motivated her to find a solution to air pollution.
• She took time off to care for her dad and after his death, she traveled and volunteered in Cambodia, building a school for underprivileged children. This experience reignited her passion for cleaning toxins from the environment.

3. The Origin Air Purifier Solution

• Origin Air purifiers combine HEPA filters with biofilters (genetically enhanced plants).
• HEPA filters remove 99.99% of large particulate matter.
• The genetically modified plants metabolize toxic gases (VOCs) that pass through HEPA filters.
• These plants have a liver enzyme in every cell, similar to the human liver, which removes 95% of the toxins in the body.
• The plants turn airborne toxins into plant growth and oxygen.
• The plants, if treated correctly, will work continuously and never end up in a landfill.

4. HEPA Filters vs. Biofilters: A Comparative Analysis

• HEPA filters are effective at removing particulate matter.
• However, they do not remove toxic gases (VOCs).
• Biofilters, specifically the genetically modified plants used in Origin Air purifiers, are designed to metabolize these toxic gases.

5. The Eliza Air Purifier

• The Eliza air purifier is a personal air purifier named after Susan's best friend's daughter, Eliza, who passed away at age 10 from a rare autoimmune disorder that attacked her lungs.
• Eliza required a breathing apparatus to receive pure oxygen.
• The Eliza air purifier aims to provide the freshest and cleanest air to every person in every household, honoring Eliza's legacy.

6. The Importance of Clean Air

• People drink two liters of water a day and ensure it is filtered.
• In contrast, we breathe 11,000 liters of air each day, yet often don't know what we're breathing.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of being aware of and addressing the toxins in the air we breathe.

7. Overcoming Adversity and Pursuing Passion

• Susan's journey highlights the importance of pulling up one's anchor and braving the headwinds to pursue one's passion.
• She combined creativity, innovation, and leadership to create a company that brings fresher air to people, allowing them to live longer, follow their dreams, and spend more time with loved ones.

8. Notable Quotes:

• "My father's life cut so short taught me to live in the moment. Everything can be taken so quickly."
• "If I couldn't litigate cleaner air, I would learn how to clean it."

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Susan Blanchett's TEDx talk underscores the critical importance of clean air for human health and longevity. She highlights the dangers of indoor air pollution and presents Origin Air Purifiers as a solution that combines HEPA filtration with the unique ability of genetically enhanced plants to metabolize toxic gases. Her personal journey, marked by adversity and a commitment to making a difference, serves as an inspiration to pursue one's passion and create innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. The Eliza air purifier, named in honor of a young girl who suffered from a respiratory illness, symbolizes the company's mission to provide the freshest and cleanest air to everyone.