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TLDR
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for effective solutions to maintain a virus-free environment has skyrocketed. Air purifiers have emerged as a popular choice for enhancing indoor air quality and potentially reducing the risk of virus transmission. In this article, we will delve deep into understanding the efficacy of air purifiers in combating viruses, including COVID-19, and help you find the best air purifier for COVID.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major component in maintaining a healthy and productive workspace, particularly in sectors like print shops and small businesses. As a result, many businesses have turned to air purifiers to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and other airborne viruses. But how do you choose an air purifier that effectively combats these harmful pathogens? In this article, we’ll explore various air purifiers and their efficacy in combating viruses to help you choose the best small office air purifier for COVID.
Air Quality Today
Air quality has become a focal point of discussion and concern in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, we’ve come to realize that the air we breathe greatly impacts our health, well-being, and productivity. Even short-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of catching COVID, even if you’re more than six feet apart.
However, according to the American Lung Association, almost 36% of Americans still live in areas with poor air quality. Therefore, we need solutions like air purifiers to help cleanse our air and keep us healthy.
Air purifiers cleanse the air by capturing various airborne contaminants, including:
- Dust
- Allergens
- Wildfire smoke particles
- Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs (when combined with a carbon filter)
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
They utilize various technologies— including HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, UV-C light, and ionizers— to create a healthier and cleaner environment.
Can Air Purifiers Remove COVID from the Air?
So, can air purifiers remove COVID from the air? The short answer is a resounding yes! But we need to look closer to get the full picture.
HEPA filters are commonly found in air purifiers and are renowned for capturing 0.3-micron particles and smaller. A 2020 scientific study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that influenza droplets typically range from 0.35 to 9 microns, while particles from upper respiratory track infections range from less than 0.1 microns to 10 microns in size.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, is typically 0.07 microns to 0.09 microns in size. However, these particles are encased within respiratory mucus and saliva droplets, which are 5-10 microns in size. Droplets occupied by SARS-CoV-2 are usually smaller, but typically have a minimum size of 0.4 microns.
According to Joseph Gardner Allen, an associate professor of exposure assessment science at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the SARS virus can’t survive outside respiratory droplets, and those particles are easily removed by HEPA filters. Therefore, while they may not capture every single virus particle, air purifiers still significantly reduce the risk of airborne transmission of viruses, including the COVID-19 virus.
However, their scope is limited to the air in the room they’re located in or the area they cover. In addition, they can’t purify surfaces or other areas of the house. So, while they are effective, you still need to take other preventative measures to minimize the risk of virus transmission, including maintaining good hygiene, regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and ensuring proper ventilation.
The Best Air Purifiers for COVID
Finding the best air purifier for COVID can be overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market. Let’s look at the four types of air purifiers you should look for to choose the one that aligns with your needs and preferences.
HEPA Filters
As we’ve discussed, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. Some of the most advanced air purifiers can even capture particles as small as 0.01 microns, which is smaller than the COVID-19 virus! They force air through a fine mesh to trap the harmful particles and keep them from escaping back into the air.
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filters specialize in eliminating odors and gasses and reducing the amount of chemical emissions like VOCs in the air. They operate through a process called adsorption, where the pollutants adhere to activated carbon’s porous surface. They are typically combined with HEPA filters for a comprehensive air purifying solution.
UV-C Irradiation
The UV-C feature uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light— a proven germicide— to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA and neutralizing them. While it doesn’t trap particles like filters do, its ability to sanitize the air makes it a valuable feature in air purifiers, especially when combined with HEPA filters. In fact, the best air purifier for COVID comes with a HEPA + activated carbon filter and UV-C light combination.
Ionizers
Ionizers release negatively charged ions into the air that bond with positively charged particles such as dust, bacteria, viruses, and other allergens. The bonding increases the weight of the particles, causing them to settle down onto surfaces or get pulled into the air purifier. While they efficiently reduce airborne particles, you have to clean the settled particles regularly from surfaces within the ionizer’s range for a truly clean environment.
Other Features to Consider
You may also want to look beyond the core functionalities of air purifiers and explore additional features. The following key features are great additions that can help you find the best air purifier for your unique needs:
- Air purifier size and capacity: Opt for a machine that matches your room’s square footage and has a high clean air delivery rate (CADR).
- Noise levels: Choose air purifiers with features for quieting that run closer to 20 decibels in maintenance mode for a peaceful environment.
- Energy efficiency: Look for energy-saving features like sleep modes, adjustable fan speeds, and smart sensors.
- Maintenance and filter replacement: Look for a model with easily accessible filters and clear indicators for filter replacement.
Case Studies
Exploring real-life instances where air purifiers have cleaned the air can provide invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of their impact on indoor air quality.
For example, one 2022 study revealed that using two HEPA air purifiers that meet EPA-recommended clean air delivery rate (CADR) reduces overall exposure to exhaled aerosol particles by up to 65% without masking and up to 90% with masking.
Another study showed that using a portable air purifier significantly reduces ultrafine airborne particles anywhere between 22.6-92% in indoor environments.
These studies prove that air purifiers are effective in combating viruses and improving overall IAQ, leading to healthier, safer indoor spaces.
Common FAQs
In this section, we address some of the most common questions about air purifiers to help you gain a comprehensive understanding of air purifiers.
Do air purifiers work in offices?
Yes, they do! In fact, research shows that portable HEPA air purifiers can remove anywhere from 12-64% of airborne pollutants in indoor spaces.
Are air purifiers loud?
In general, air purifiers can have a noise rating of 20-70 decibels. They can blend in with ambient background noise at about 40 decibels, and many include quieting features that keep them around 20 decibels on lower settings— the sound level of regular breathing!
Purify Your Air Quality Today!
Choosing the right air purifier is a great way to improve air quality in your working and living spaces. If you’re looking for high-quality purifiers for COVID-19 for your workspace, consider Binding101. We offer a range of best-in-class air purifiers designed to meet your diverse needs.
Are you ready to purify your air quality?
For more information or a quote, call us at (800) 944-4573
About the Author • Mallory Morsa has been the product expert at Binding101 since 2008, and has grown up in the industry. Every day she pushes herself to learn new information, incorporating real-life experiences to create solutions to the most common problems in the industry, and then present those solutions in a way that is easy to understand for everyone, from novices to experts.
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