Since early 2020, we've all experienced COVID-19's highs and lows. We've gotten used to masking our faces, staying away from others, and dealing with this pandemic's new strains and types. Public and individual health care must adapt to the irreversible change in the globe. Since early 2020, we've all experienced COVID-19's highs and lows. We're used to wearing masks, staying away from others, and dealing with this pandemic's new strains and types. We've been accustomed to face masks, keeping our distance from others, and dealing with the constant annoyance of this pandemic's new strains and varieties. The world as we knew it has altered irrevocably, and so must our public and individual health care methods.
What Do We Know About Air Purifiers and SARS-CoV-2?
There is now more evidence than ever that air purifiers are effective against airborne infections. This review of recent studies will let you decide for yourself whether or not an air purifier can assist with COVID-19.
A Research Project Conducted By The CDC
The CDC published a study on the "Efficacy of Portable Air Cleaners and Masking for Reducing Indoor Exposure to Simulated Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols" in 2021. In this experiment, a face-to-face encounter was replicated using aerosols. After placing portable HEPA air purifiers in the room, the air quality was compared to that of just using masks. The results were as follows:
Universal masking lowered the mean concentration of aerosols by 72% without the use of HEPA filters. Two HEPA air purifiers and a universal face mask cut down on exposure by as much as 90%. When placed in close proximity to the aerosol source, HEPA air purifiers performed at their peak. These results indicate that using a portable HEPA air cleaner inside can reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and that using a portable HEPA air cleaner in conjunction with universal masking can further reduce exposure.
Air Purifiers and HEPA Filters on the Go
In 2021, a group of academics released a review article in SAGE Journals summarizing 11 studies found in sources such as the World Health Organization's Embase, the Cochrane Databases, and Medline. A HEPA air filter's performance against aerosolized airborne particles was examined in all of the tests.
Their analysis led them to the conclusion that PACs can be a cost-effective way to improve air quality. It is possible to shorten turnover times following AGPs and other medical procedures by using a PAC equipped with a HEPA filter, either in conjunction with the HVAC system or as a standalone air decontamination system.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread in the same way as measles and influenza are disseminated: through the air. The most common ways of spreading are:
Droplet Spray in Short-range
Large respiratory droplets released by an infected person's exhale have the potential to disseminate the virus, although they fall quickly and have a limited effective range. The only way to combat this mode is via social distance, masks, and tailored filtration pressure differentials; air purifiers won't do the trick.
Contact
The virus can be spread from indirect or direct contact, such as when infected people touch their faces after touching infected objects. In this case, personal cleanliness is more helpful than air purifiers.
Aerosol in Long-range Transmission
Long-distance (airborne) transmission occurs when microscopic respiratory droplets from an infected individual float in the air. This can be mitigated with the use of air purifiers and other forms of designed filtration.
HEPA and HyperHEPA Filters
Filters, such as HEPA and HyperHEPA, are used in air purifiers to remove contaminants from the air. However, not all filters are created equal. Some filters are mechanical, which capture bigger particles, while others are synthetic and use a charged material to promote "stickiness." Synthetic filters might degrade with time and become less effective. COVID-19 viruses range in size from 0.06 to 0.14 microns, making them too tiny to be detected by a typical HEPA filter.
Can You Prevent COVID-19 at Home by Using An Air Cleaner or Air Purifier?
The (EPA) says air purifiers when used appropriately, can aid in reducing airborne pollutants like viruses in a house or confined place. A portable air cleaner is helpful, but it is not a foolproof method of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Incorporating the use of an air cleaner into a comprehensive plan to keep you and your family safe is consistent with CDC recommendations.