Infectious Disease

Portable air purifiers could reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols, study results

ADD SUBJECT TO EMAIL ALERTS

Receive an email when new articles are published on

Please enter your email address to receive an email when new articles are published on . “data-action =” subscribe “> subscribe

We could not process your request. Please try again later. If this problem persists, please contact [email protected].

Back to Healio

Using portable air purifiers could reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols indoors, new reported study results suggest.

In a simulation, researchers found that both portable high-efficiency particulate air purifiers (HEPA) and masks reduced exposure to SARS-CoV-2 when used individually. Used together, they reduced exposure by up to 90%, according to the study, which was published in the MMWR.

Source: Shutterstock

“To reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 indoors between people, CDC recommends measures such as physical distancing, universal masking and increased room ventilation,” Dr wrote. “Ventilation systems can be supplemented with portable HEPA cleaners to reduce the number of infectious particles in the air and provide improved protection against transmission between people.”

Lindsley and colleagues used breathing simulators “to mimick a person with COVID-19 and other uninfected people in a 584-square-foot conference room.” The simulator mimicked a person exhaling infectious particles, and three breathing simulators mimicked a speaker and two participants who were exposed to these aerosol particles, Lindsley and colleagues explained.

Two HEPA air purifiers were placed in four different locations during the study – in the center of the room on the floor behind the source simulator, on the left and right sides of the room on the floor, on the left and right sides of the room and raised 32 inches , and on the floor in the front and back of the room.

Researchers also placed three-ply cotton fabric face masks on top of the breathing simulators and conducted experiments with either all simulators unmasked or all simulators to represent universal masking.

According to the study, the two HEPA air purifiers reduced total exposure to simulated exhaled aerosol particles without universal masking by up to 65%, while universal masking reduced the combined mean aerosol concentration without using the filters by 72%. The combination of air purifiers and universal masking reduced overall exposure by up to 90%, said Lindsley and colleagues.

The researchers found that the air purifiers were most effective when they were in the center of the room and near the source of the aerosol.

“These results support the usefulness of wearable HEPA air purifiers and universal masks for reducing indoor exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols,” the authors write. “Efforts to reduce aerosol exposure to SARS-CoV-2 could help limit transmission of the virus and reduce the incidence of COVID-19 illness and death

ADD SUBJECT TO EMAIL ALERTS

Receive an email when new articles are published on

Please enter your email address to receive an email when new articles are published on . “data-action =” subscribe “> subscribe

We could not process your request. Please try again later. If this problem persists, please contact [email protected].

Back to Healio

COVID-19 Resource Center

COVID-19 Resource Center

Related Articles