Do Air Purifiers Kill Viruses?
First, we have to understand there are two types of Air Purifiers, one is a filter, and the other works as a sanitizer. Some air purifiers combine both of these techniques.
Air purifiers that work as filters are designed to improve indoor air quality by physically removing the pollutants floating in the air. These filters can effectively filter out dust, pollen, dander, etc. which are naturally occurring particles but can induce allergies to many. The HEPA filter is one of the most common and effective air purifiers we have now.
A sanitizer air purifier can effectively remove or rather kill bacteria, fungus, mold, etc. from the air around you. Though these are natural elements it can make you sick and is harmful if exposed to a larger quantity of these. UV filter is the most common air purifier which works as a sanitizer.
The Different Types of Air purifiers
HEPA Purifiers
HEPA filtersor high-efficiency particulate arresting filter is one of the most famous air purifiers now. It effectively removes 0.01-micron diameter particles from the air. Thus, these purifiers can effectively pull-out particles from the air and can hold onto them so that they cannot be recirculated in the air.
HEPA filters are extremely effective, capturing more than 99 percent of virus-sized particles in a single pass. The viruses are trapped in the HEPA filter and are no longer present in the atmosphere. But it still cannot kill these viruses. Air purifiers with HEPA filters do not emit any toxic or dangerous pollutants, such as ozone (from ionizers) or UV light (from UV light air purifiers).
UV light air purifiers on the other hand are designed to just kill viruses, bacteria, and molds. It cannot purify the air from other pollutants.
Most UV air purifiers’ UV rays are insufficiently weak to kill viruses, according to statistics. This means that viruses in the air would have to travel through the filter 36 times before 99.9% of them would be eliminated by a conventional household UV air purifier. That’s not a very practical solution.
There are also some side effects of using UV lights such as:
- UV light air purifiers are often more expensive than other purifier kinds (both in terms of the purifier and the electricity utilized)
- their efficacy can deteriorate quickly when the light becomes filthy
- UV light is hazardous in and of itself, especially to the human eye.
Ionizer purifiers are another form of air purifier that some claim is better for COVID prevention. They function by releasing negative ions into the atmosphere. These negative ions adhere to viruses, causing them to adhere to surfaces such as walls and tables.
This is a crucial consideration for ionizer air purifiers. The virus remains in the room since the ions only transfer it to walls and tables. Viruses are neither killed nor removed from the air by ionizers. Furthermore, these surfaces have the potential to spread the virus.
This is a crucial consideration for ionizer air purifiers. The virus remains in the room since the ions only transfer it to walls and tables. Viruses are neither killed nor removed from the air by ionizers. Furthermore, these surfaces have the potential to spread the Covid-19 virus.
Ozone Generator
Ozone generators increase the number of atoms in a normal oxygen molecule from two to three. The three-atom molecule is called ozone, not oxygen, and it interacts with its surroundings differently than normal air.
When it comes into contact with pollutant molecules such as mold or smoke, the third oxygen molecule attaches itself to the pollutant molecules and effectively removes them. O3 binds to bacteria, fungus, germs, smells, and other pollutants, destroying the cell wall at the molecular level. The pollutant is removed while the ozone is converted back to oxygen in this process.
Ozone generators create a substance that the EPA has classified as a “pollutant.” Even though ozone is hazardous enough for the EPA to regulate it, ozone generators emit it into your home. This alone would serve as a sufficient warning regarding the dangers of ozone generator air purification.
Which air purifier is safe to use?
No, HEPA filters, UV light, and ionizers are better air purifiers. Even in healthy people, though, inhaling ozone can induce coughing, throat discomfort, shortness of breath, and other problems. Ozone can cause lung harm, which is why local weather agencies issue ozone advisories on occasion.
People with asthma or other breathing difficulties may be particularly sensitive to air quality, so they should limit their ozone exposure by remaining inside on certain days or avoiding strenuous exercise while outside.
FAQs on Air Purifier and its effects on virus
Are there any air purifiers that are effective against the COVID-19 virus?
Because the coronavirus is at the lower end of the HEPA filter's spectrum, a single pass may not be 100 percent effective. However, if a HEPA system is used for a long period, it may remove a large number of viruses – in the upper ninetieth percentile (99.94 to 99.97 percent ). Some viruses, including COVID-19, can be rendered inactive by prolonged exposure to UV radiation in an air-purifying system.
What are the alternatives to improve indoor air quality and also protect ourselves from viruses?
If you do not have any problem with the temperature, humidity, or even allergens then you don’t have to rush towards buying an air purifier. You can simply: Increase air circulation by opening windows or turning on ceiling fans. Use box or floor fans strategically (one to “push” indoor air out one window and the other to “pull” fresh outdoor air in from another). Keep in mind that unless you have someone in your household with an active COVID-19 infection, you won't be able to minimize or filter out the coronavirus using any of these approaches. It is always best to use sanitizer, wear a mask and maintain a social distancing of 6ft to avoid the spread of the virus.
What should we look for while buying an air purifier?
Before purchasing a product, do some research on it. You need to consider your room size and the CADR of the air purifier as well. When choosing an air purifier, look for a filter that is UL listed, has an ETL certification, or has been certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Even though they are not government-run, all of these organizations test for safe levels of ozone generation and compliance with other safety regulations. Air purifiers work best in smaller areas with all doors closed. As a result, open-concept spaces will be more challenging to maintain. If you have 10-12 foot ceilings, you may need to buy a bigger size However, if you have a 600-square-foot space and a gadget that covers 300 square feet, it makes sense to acquire two.
Who needs to use an air purifier during the Covid-19 pandemic?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an air purifier is usually unnecessary for the ordinary person. This is especially true if you only socialize with family members, wear a mask whenever you leave the house, and practice proper social distancing. However, if someone in your household has COVID-19 or needs to be quarantined until they can be sure they don't have it, it could be a good idea to keep an air purifier in their room with the door shut, if only to protect caregivers from possible exposure. If someone in your household is at extremely high risk of catching COVID-19 or experiencing issues from it, it's also something to think about.
Conclusion
As a practical technique to filter and guard against the coronavirus, HEPA air purifiers outperform ionizers and UV light air purifiers. They are low-cost and simple to deploy, and an efficient air purifier can capture over 99 percent of viruses in one pass.
Air purifiers can give an extra layer of protection, but their efficiency is limited when compared to other techniques like wearing a mask, social separation, and sanitizing surfaces. All of them will be far more important in keeping you secure than anything else.