Can air purification systems help stop coronavirus spread indoors?

SARS-CoV-2 that floats in the air causes Covid-19. Especially in indoor spaces where it has poor ventilation. Indoor air is contaminated faster compared to outdoor air. The indoor air in public places is of high risk and is to be avoided in such pandemic situations. But the increased population in the limited capacity of spaces is highly risky and the spread of disease in such public places is faster.

To keep the indoor spaces safer they must be ventilated properly. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the rate of ventilation 288m3/h per person to control the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Ventilation can be provided either naturally or mechanically. It is not possible to depend on the natural ventilation system to get at the same rate all the time. The main purpose for the requirement of such a ventilation system is to improve the quality of indoor air. 

As the pandemic situation continues with waves 2, 3, and more. It is vital to follow the best practices like washing hands frequently, social distancing, wearing masks, sanitize yourself and your belongings regularly. People started thinking of new supplemental techniques to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19.

Air purifiers that effectively remove smoke, dust, fine particulates, harmful gases, microorganisms, or other pathogens from the indoor environment. Here comes the question of whether the HEPA air purifiers help stop the spread of coronavirus indoors.

How is COVID-19 Transmitted?

The coronavirus from the individuals (often without symptoms) can transmit through the contact points and the respiratory droplets. When the other individual comes in contact with such contaminated particles then the individual will be affected by the coronavirus. The coronavirus enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth of the individual and replicates inside the body’s cell.

The COVID-19 coronavirus spreads through droplets when people sneeze or cough these tiny liquid particles that are suspended in the air. The tiny solid or liquid particles that are suspended in the air include dust, fog, or gases said to be aerosols. The National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Princeton University found that COVID-19 can survive in the air particles for up to three hours. When the people nearby breathe in these contaminated aerosols, the virus infects them and makes them ill.

Air purifiers are meant for filtering airborne pollutants and protects you from airborne infections. HEPA air purifiers or air cleaners can effectively remove 99.97% particles of size 2.5μm and 95% of particulates of size 0.25 and 1 μm. But do air purifiers remove the respiratory droplets? It is important to understand the key difference between airborne particle and droplet transmission to know how air purifiers help you to remove coronavirus spread indoors.

Airborne vs. droplet transmission

Droplet transmission

The person’s cough and sneeze are can spread these respiratory droplets are usually filled with saliva, mucus, water, and fluids.

Airborne transmission

These are tiny particles that is <5μm in diameter and can remain in the air for long periods and travel longer distances.

The major difference between the airborne and droplets suspension or aerosols are particle, size, composition, and suspension time.

The respiratory droplets from the person’s cough and sneeze are much larger than viruses. Generally, viruses are much smaller in size of  0.1 μm in diameter, respiratory droplets are often over 5μm to 10μm in diameter. These respiratory droplets are usually filled with saliva, mucus, water, and fluids. The infected person’s respiratory droplets include viruses with these fluids. So the respiratory droplet is much larger and heavier than viral particles.

Airborne transmission differs from respiratory droplet transmission. It is smaller i.e.,<5μm in diameter, can remain in the air for long periods. It can be transmitted to others at a distance greater than 1m.

How HEPA Air Purifiers Remove Respiratory Droplets and Airborne Particles

Best air purifiers or air cleaners with HEPA filters are most commonly used. These purifiers use an internal fan that pulls air through the series of filters, the pre-filters remove the macroparticles from the air such that it prevents the damage of the internal filters. The HEPA filters can effectively remove very fine particles from the air. The virus-filled droplets can be effectively trapped in the HEPA filters and the filter will also strain out these droplets.

These respiratory droplets that are contaminated with coronavirus are larger in size compared to that of the virus. These droplets are heavy and do not float in the air for a long time. It will catch up on any of the surfaces. Air purifiers will remove the fine particles that are suspended on the air but it does not remove the particles on the surface of the object. Air purifiers will take some time to recycle the contaminated air. But in the meantime, these droplets will be landing on the flat surfaces in the area.

The best air purifiers can remove a large chunk of airborne viruses but it is uncertain whether it eliminates the droplets at a faster rate to avoid infection. WHO recently admitted that COVID-19 is airborne. Experts say that coronavirus suspended in the air depends on the air current in the room, relative humidity in the room, ventilation in the room Indoors with poor ventilation such as restaurants, schools, theatres, hospitals, patient rooms, or clinics can use air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.  When people gather more indoors in restaurants, marriage function halls, and more are to be taken under more care with airborne precautions such as using air purifiers.

We still recommend the use of an air purification system with HEPA filters during this coronavirus lockdown. HEPA air purification system is a portable, inexpensive, and effective air purifier that removes ultrafine particles in the environment effectively. This air purification system improves indoor air quality especially in the case of poorly ventilated indoor air. This natural air purifier helps you protect yourself not only from airborne coronavirus but also from other viral, allergens, harmful gases, smoke, pollen, fine dust particulates, and more in your environment.

Protective measures followed to minimize being a victim of COVID-19 are washing hands often, staying home, wearing a mask, sanitizing, get vaccinated. The natural air purifier with proper ventilation helps you to be fresh and healthy. An air purifier is an additional effective measure to help minimize the coronavirus spread indoors and it is not the replacement for social distancing or using the disinfectant. Best buy air purifiers with HEPA filter media help you to handle this pandemic situation with effective protection.

It is vital to keep the coronavirus under control by following the protective measures effectively. As the COVID-19 outbreak strengthens and goes into several waves. Precautions are to be taken carefully to handle this pandemic situation.

Conclusion

Coronavirus spread is increasing day by day. The government takes protective measures by preventing public gatherings and repeated lockdowns to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Situations get worse with different waves of coronavirus. It is vital to understand the importance of getting vaccinated and follow the protective measures. The best air purifier for home helps to improve the indoor air quality and helps you to minimize the spread of coronavirus especially in places where there is poor ventilation. The best air purifier for home helps to breathe fresh and clean air in your home that removes airborne dust particles, smoke, unpleasant smells, pollen, pet danders, and more and keeps your home environment clean.
AerMax 500 air purifiers or air cleaners are the best buy air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. These air purifiers that include HEPA filter media, filter out 99.97% ultrafine particles, odors, VOCs from the air. AerMax 500 best buy air purifier deactivates the bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens in the environment within a fraction of seconds. It helps to keep your indoor environment clean and healthy.