Drive off bad air

motorists in the country can now contribute to cleaner air by spending a few extra bucks on a device which detects pollutants in the air and then releases oxygen. The gadget, controlled by a microprocessor, promises to save drivers from a hazards of carbon monoxide. Named 'Rudraksh' by the inventor, Sandeep Jaitka of New Delhi, the device has electrochemical sensors which can also sense sulphur, nitrogen and hydrides of nitrogen -- all of which pose health risks. The gadget can be connected to the car's battery and costs Rs 1,000. Jaitka also has a separate version of the gadget for two-wheeler riders who can fit it into their helmets with the oxygen compressed into a container as big as a pack of cigarettes. Similarly, for asthmatic drivers, the device can be hooked onto a mask like the ones found in aeroplanes, which drop automatically from the ceiling when the oxygen level falls below critical levels. Jaitka has applied for patents in the us and the uk.