It has been just revealed that microbiologists have something pretty interesting to say about air filters. Check out the latest reports about the matter below.
Air filtration systems reveal something interesting
It’s common to think that air filtration systems can protect us from viruses like SARS-CoV-2. However, a recent study from the University of East Anglia in the U.K. suggests that relying solely on these measures may not significantly reduce the risk of viral infection.
In March 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published its Clean Air in Buildings Challenge guidelines, which encourage building owners and operators to reduce the risk of airborne viruses in indoor settings. The guidelines suggest installing air filtration and cleaning systems as well as UV Germicidal Irradiation systems.
“During the pandemic, all sorts of things were tried and recommended to try to limit transmission and harms,” study lead Julii Brainard told Newsweek.
“Some of these ideas were very expensive.
“Aside from pointless expense, if a strategy is widely advocated and adopted that isn’t effective, that fact itself can undermine public trust. It’s important that we use actual evidence about what is effective or not, when deciding what public health measures to take, whenever possible.”
When it comes to air cleaning technologies, there are two main approaches: “HEPA filters try to physically remove the virus from the air,” Brainard said.
“Other technologies like germicidal UV light try to disable the virus, so it’s still in the air but can’t infect and can’t replicate itself—viruses are just bundles of genetic code anyway, very small and not much else to them.”
A recent study conducted by Brainard and her team, and published in the Preventive Medicine journal on November 17, analyzed 32 studies that investigated the effectiveness of air cleaners in real-world settings such as schools and care homes.
Unfortunately, Brainard stated that the findings were disappointing. Nonetheless, she emphasized that it is crucial for public health decision-makers to have a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
