It’s no secret that China has extreme levels of air pollution, but earlier this month a temporary solution was found: canned fresh air.

The aluminum cans–reminiscent of “Perri-Air” from the film Spaceballs, or those in the 2012 movie The Lorax–contain air from several cleaner regions of China. There are even different flavors, including “Post-industrial Taiwan,” “Revolutionary Yan’an,” and “Pristine Tibet.” The cans reportedly supply a month of fresh air, which is compressed, and does not leak out. The first day they were revealed, they were handed out for free, as an artistic statement by Chen Guangbiao about the overwhelming air pollution enveloping China, especially its capital city of Beijing. Within ten days, over eight million cans were sold. They’re currently being sold at approximately eighty cents each, while the proceeds go to various charities.

Chen Guangbiao, one of the wealthiest businessmen of China, has devoted his time to philanthropy and environmentalism. At 44, he is the billionaire president of the Jiangsu Huangpu Recycling Resources Company, which recycles resources from demolished buildings.

He became well known after aiding the victims of the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, by distributing cash to homeless families and rushing to the scene after a mere 36 hours, with cranes to remove rubble and search for survivors. He also donated some 5000 bicycles to advocate the substitution of riding bikes for driving cars. Now, with the cans of fresh air, he continues advocating for environmental reform in China.

The cans have come under controversy because of the message they send. Although they draw attention to the terrible air quality of China, the cans suggest pollution themselves, for they are made of aluminum. Also, many believe they should be handed out, and not sold, despite the costs of production.

Many believe Chen is becoming involved in these issues to pull publicity stunts and make more profits. However, it seems that Chen feels extremely passionate towards the environmental issues that dominate China.

“If we don’t start caring for the environment, then after 20 or 30 years our children and grandchildren might be wearing gas masks and carry oxygen tanks,” he said.

In the 1960’s, with the rise of environmentalism, the first US Clean Air Act was passed into law, although in 1955 the first Air Pollution Control Act became law. Over the years these laws were amended to create standards and limits, through the Environmental Protection Agency, on different pollutions and emission. Chinese citizens look to environmental laws internationally, including ours, for solutions to diminish the thick smog that haunts many cities.  Just last month, the air quality levels hit an all-time low. People walk the streets unable to see the tops of buildings, donning medical masks and gas masks. Many Chinese elders and children often visit doctors for breathing issues and to inspect the black particles they cough up. The reason for these health issues is Chinese industries; factories and construction sites that constantly release smog and dust into the air. Since the end of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in 1978, industrialization was prioritized, and foreign trade flourished. In the meantime, the pollutants from the factories and vehicles used to commute to jobs have accumulated into the infamous thick grey man-made fog that shrouds Chinese cities.

Although China evidently has a long way to environmental reform, Chen Guangbiao is making a good start.