Lifestyle /
This Is Not A Hoax: Canadian Startup To Sell Canned Air To India
What started out as a gag gift is now an in-demand product in some of the world's most highly polluted countries.
Moses Lam, former mortgage broker and founder of Vitality Air, started the concept of "canned air" after he sold a bag of fresh Canadian air on eBay for 99 cents.
When a second bag went up to $168, Lam decided there could actually be a market for the concept.
Lam said, “It started as a novelty back in the summer of last year. There were forest fires in Calgary and with all the smoke, people started using our product.”
Moses Lam, Founder of Vitality Air
Photo Credit: Greg Southam/Postmedia News
Vitality Air made headlines in Canada last year after it launched its product in China. Smog levels in Beijing are considered hazardous. Now, the company sells variously sized cans of "100% Rocky Mountain air" sourced from Lake Louise and Banff and tested for maximum purity. Consumers breathe in the air from the cans through a mask, and the air comes in two flavours.
Lam says the company's air collection method is a “trade secret” but consists of a “giant vacuum” process. “We suck up all the air in Banff, about 150,000 litres every time, and it takes about 40 hours,” he said.
Vitality Air bottles, 100% Rocky Mountain Air
Photo Credit: www.thenational.com
Vitality Air is planning to sell canned natural air to Indian consumers this month. 150 sample cans of fresh air arrived in New Delhi last week. This product could be a godsend for New Delhi's inhabitants since the city is ranked first on a World Health Organization list of cities with the foulest air.
The canned air will become available in three-litre and eight-litre options, and twin-packs will cost between Rs 1,450 and Rs 2,800 (approximately $21–$42 US).
“The pollution in India is more than in China," says Lam. "We expect it to be our largest market.”
A Glimpse at Air Pollution in New Delhi
Photo Credit: www.blogs.wsj.com
Pollution levels are reaching all-time highs in India. With over 8.8 million vehicles and large industrial zones, New Delhi is struggling to reduce pollution.
“The fact that we need to bottle our air and breathe it, just shows how poor the air quality is,” said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy firm in New Delhi.
The bottles have arrived in India and test marketing will begin soon, starting with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi and then setting up kiosks in malls along with raising visibility on social media.
Main Image Photo Credit: www.financialexpress.com
Nomaan Khan
Author
After spending some time in a completely different field, Nomaan decided to drop it all and switch to Mohawk College to pursue his longtime interest in the world of Journalism. His experience working in multimedia platforms has helped him develop exceptional skills in thinking on his feet, being ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
