Can Air Purifiers Reduce The Risk Of Corona Infection?

The coronavirus spreads the highest in poorly ventilated rooms. In addition to ventilation, air purifiers could also counteract the coronavirus according to the experts. But air purifiers also have their limits. Can air purifiers protect you against Corona infection? Let’s find more upon the subject.

With the cooler days, life shifts more to the interior of the house. When many people meet in offices or cafes, the risk of infection with the coronavirus is increased. Proper ventilation is one of the most effective measures to keep the room air virus-free. Air purifiers can also be useful but not all devices are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

What Air Filters Can Work Against The Coronavirus?

Researchers from various universities have already examined the suitability of mobile air filter systems. Experts recently found out in a test run under practical conditions that a suitable air filter system lowers the aerosol concentration in a room by 90 percent after half an hour, thereby significantly reducing the risk of infection.

Another study concluded that the concentration of virus droplets in the air, drops significantly after just a few minutes using an air purifier and that aerosols can no longer accumulate.

However, all experts also emphasize the limits of the use of such devices. The experts advise using them during school lessons, not as a solution but at best, as an accompanying aid in cases in which a relatively large number of students come together in one room. According to the experts, the effect is not sufficient to effectively filter viruses out of the air for the entire duration of the class. The ventilation remains the best way to rid the indoor air of possible coronaviruses. Air purifiers could help, but not replace ventilation.

Experts strictly warn against relying solely on air purifiers as a miracle cure against Covid-19 for the cold season. Yet, in honest opinion air purifiers can certainly be a great supportive measure. According to experts, the need to wear breathing masks and to comply with distance requirements continues to exist despite air purifiers. The filters only protect against indirect infections caused by suspended aerosols. They are ineffective against direct infection when speaking or coughing over short distances.

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Buying The Correct Air Purifier

According to experts, air purifiers are effective, but you need to take a closer look at the small print because it depends on the filter. In order to reduce the risk of corona infection, professional mobile filter systems with so-called Hepa filters of protection class H13 or H14 are necessary. These can filter viruses and virus particles out of the air.

There are also other air filters that are less effective and other designs that work with ozone or UV light. These are either unsuitable or should not be used for health reasons because they enrich the room air with irritants during operation.

Correct Handling Is Also Important

The special filters in the devices must be changed regularly. It is to ensure that the viruses do not mutate on the filter and destroy the protective effect. This usually requires specialist knowledge or trained personnel. There are a lot of purifiers with Hepa filters however you need to choose the specific ones with protection class H13 or H14.

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