Buying air purifiers is always a good idea to get rid of indoor allergens and pollutants from daily cooking and cleaning chores. And this is crucial nowadays because everyone stays the entire day indoors due to the pandemic.
However, some people may seem to wonder if air purifiers can get rid of COVID-19 by sucking virus particles floating in thin air. According to air technicians and virology professionals, air purifiers can somehow provide protection in certain circumstances. This could be something you’d want to read – https://myintelligenthouse.com/best-air-purifier-for-1200-sq-ft/.
When someone at home is sick, turning on the air purifier in the isolation room can protect other individuals around the sick person. Even when healthcare workers are in self-quarantine, having the best air purifiers available at home is convenient.
Capturing The Virus In The Air
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can capture 99.97% of floating particles that are exactly 0. (Skypointcloud) 3 microns in diameters. Back in 2003, during the SARS outbreak, Hong Kong hospitals used portable air purifiers with HEPA filters to lessen the transmission to medical staff if quarantine wards were unavailable. In America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had similar recommendations to minimize the SARS virus’s viral concentrations in the air when there were unavailable hospitals with proper ventilation.
Recent research studies suggest that air filtration can lower the risk of disease transmission, such as measles and influenza. In theory, these machines eliminate viruses in the air. Hence, there is a mechanistic basis to think that air purifiers can lessen the transmission.
The Proper Way To Use Air Purifiers At Home
When someone in the family contracted coronavirus, ensure the proper implementation of protocols provided by the CDC, such as how to monitor symptoms, when to go to the hospital, and the correct way to isolate the affected person.
If the family has been using the best air purifiers with HEPA filters at home, it is highly advisable to put it near the sick person, about three feet away. It is wise to turn the purifier at a lower speed and near than having it far with high speed. Remember, one of the common causes of virus transmission is through close contact.
Furthermore, air purifiers have to be far from something that will obstruct the airflow, like furniture or curtains. Always close the door of the room. When homeowners know how to use their best air purifiers properly, they can potentially block the floating virus particles before they get to someone else.
When changing the HEPA filters, ensure to take extra precautions. According to previous studies, the virus can stay on plastic and steel; these are common materials found in air purifiers. Although there is no telling as to how long they can live in those areas, it is best to be prudent.
Make sure to wear PPEs like gloves and masks when it’s time to change the filters. Put the air purifiers outside when they are due for a cleaning and don’t forget to disinfect the exterior. Put the discarded filters in sealed bags or if they use fabric pre-filters, wash them. (ghgossip.com)
