Air Purifiers: A supplementary measure to remove airborne virus (SARS-CoV-2)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease referred to as corona disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-Cov-2). It spreads with astonishing speed mainly through the droplets. When people come into contact with the contaminated surface they get affected by the corona disease. This SARS-CoV-2 is viable in aerosols for many hours. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese governments are considering airborne precautions for medical professionals.

Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, including fog, dust, and gas. Researchers from the National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Princeton University determined that COVID 19 can survive in the air particles as well as other materials such as copper, cardboard, and plastic then it is compared with SARS that emerged in 2002. COVID-19 was detected in the aerosols for up to three hours. WHO officials say that the coronavirus goes airborne depending on different factors such as heat and humidity.

Most of the literature reports that the viruses detected in the indoor air are very rare except in the source zones. But latest studies on SARS-CoV-2 provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is widely spread in the air and the virus might be transmitted up to 4m in the hospital wards. The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that the possibility of SARS-Cov-2  spread through bioaerosols in the research report. 

Indoor Air Purifiers As A Supplementary Measure To Improve Indoor Air In Hospitals

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it is vital to have a ventilation rate of at least 288m3/h per person to control the airborne transmission of such viruses. It is important to achieve such a high ventilation rate either through natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation systems. It is difficult to achieve this ventilation rate all the time naturally. Natural ventilation depends on factors such as weather and building structure. The ventilation system in the temporary hospitals formed during this pandemic to cure COVID-19 is of lower ventilation rate. The health care units that do not have enough ventilation can use indoor air purifiers as a supplementary measure to improve indoor air contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

Yuan Liu et al measured the highest concentration of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols emerging in two distinct sizes. One in the submicron region with an aerodynamic diameter between 0.25 and 1μm and the other in the supermicron region with a diameter greater than 2.5 μm. The aerosols that fall under the super micron region size range can be easily and effectively removed by air purifiers. Best air purifiers that include HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters) effectively filter out 95% of aerosols particles that are between 0.25 and 1 μm and 99.97% of particles that are larger than 2.5 μm. The air purifiers provide enough clean air at an affordable price and reduce power consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has alerted that the rising demand, panic buying have resulted in the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  to provide for healthcare workers. Personal Protective Equipment is vital for healthcare workers to protect themselves and their patients from being infected and infecting others. But as the shortage of PPE increases, it endangers health care workers worldwide. The portable, affordable, and effective air purifiers can help healthcare workers with reduced exposure to virus-laden aerosols and act as a  supplementary measure to other protective procedures. 

As the hospital beds and oxygen for the COVID-19 patients are in great demand. People suspected to be affected by corona are being quarantined at home. Using the best air purifiers for the home can reduce the risk of exposure to virus-laden aerosols for other people in the households. Air purifier filters should be replaced regularly and the used filters should be disposed of as medical waste or disinfected thoroughly to prevent secondary contamination. It is vital to replace the filter regularly higher than ordinary use as there is a lack of guidance for handling filters of such application. Air purifiers or air cleaners with disinfection capability may be more effective to combat the viruses. Air purifiers or air cleaners with higher disinfection capability are costlier and consume more energy. But perhaps this is of less concern under this emergency situation to manage and control this pandemic.

Air Purifier As A Supplementary Protective Measure In Dental Clinics During This Pandemic

During dental treatments, it is a must for the dentists to look at the patient’s mouth and suggests the best advice for their dental health. The saliva from the mouth of the patients becomes aerosolized and microorganisms in the aerosol from the oral cavity spread the infectious diseases. Natural air purifiers that are placed in suitable locations remove such aerosols in the dental clinics effectively.  This helps Dental Healthcare Worker (DHCW) with reduced exposure to aerosols. Recent studies found that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appears commonly in aerosols. 

Air purification systems that include HEPA filters (H12) can remove 83% of such aerosols from the air. Air purification systems with HEPA filters are more effective and protective from the aerosol for Dental HealthCare Workers (DHCW) during dental treatments. The best air purifier recirculates the air passing through the HEPA filter media resulting in the removal of aerosol in the enclosed spaces. This helps health care professionals by reducing the exposure to aerosols and droplets from the mouth in dental clinics.

The air purification system is considered vital for emergency dental care during this COVID-19 pandemic. Air purifiers are easy-to-use, portable, inexpensive, and precautionary measures in such emergency situations. 

Air Purifier As A Supplementary Protective Measure In Other Places 

Air purifiers are used in healthcare environments especially in places like operation theatres. Air purifiers can be used in various settings that include care homes, schools, daycares, and workplaces. Air purifiers are initially designed to trap fine pollutants such as harmful gases, pollen, and fine particulates of size  0.25μm. Portable air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce exposure to harmful airborne microorganisms like bacteria and viruses and protect us from aerosolized particles. Natural air purifiers protect people from respiratory infections. This portable and highly efficient HEPA air purifier will help reduce the spread of disease from person to person and keep others safe from the infected persons. Under this pandemic situation air purifiers, HEPA filter media can be considered as supplementary protective measures to enhance indoor air.

Conclusion

Finally, it is clear and we should be aware that the best air purifiers can be an effective supplementary measure to remove SARS-CoV-2. Air purifiers can effectively protect healthcare workers from viral-laden aerosols and help them take care of their patients without fear. The best air purifiers for home can help the household protect from the infected person who has been quarantined. An Air purifier that employs HEPA filters acts as local source control that includes local pollutants, filters and removes particulates, smoke, Volatile Organic Compounds, and harmful gases in the environment. AerMax 500- air cleaners use true shield HEPA filters to remove particulates as small as 0.1 microns. The activated carbon filter removes odor and VOCs in the environment. The chemical filtration in the AerMax 500 removes harmful chemicals in the environment that affects health. AerMax 500 deactivates viruses and other pathogens present in the environment with a minimum time of 30 seconds. Air purification system protects your heart, and lungs from the polluted environment effectively.