What kind of air purifier can filter the new Covid-19?

As the epidemic gradually stabilizes and even subsides, all parts of the world will usher in a “window period” for resuming work. In addition to the necessary mask protection in outdoor spaces, everyone also needs to pay special attention to the indoor environment of the workplace. Because in the use of central air-conditioning or inconveniently ventilated confined spaces, the spread and persistence of the virus cannot be ignored. As the “first line of defense” in the indoor environment-can air purifiers effectively filter out viruses? It has become one of the focuses of attention from all walks of life.

 

In response to this problem, a researcher from the Institute of Environmental and Health-related Product Safety of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and an expert in the field of environment and health, said: During the epidemic, in addition to strengthening ventilation, you should also use HEPA filters with H13 and above. Air purifier, use it to filter aerosols and droplets with viruses in the air, and clean the air. As a result, the value of high-standard air purifiers will appear.

 

So what kind of air purifier is considered a high standard, can be judged from the following three points:

 

First, third-party authority testing and certification for virus removal capabilities

 

Recently, there have been reports that “the air purifier product standard does not have a requirement for virus killing rate, and it may not be suitable for filtering viruses.” This also strongly reminds us that since the product does not have this standard, it should be passed. Authoritative testing by tripartite agencies, after actual testing, can effectively filter out the air purifier is worth choosing. The classification mechanism of HEPA filter is diversified. Many product manuals or e-commerce pages do not indicate the diameter range that can filter the pollution source, and even if it is indicated, it is only a theoretical value. Therefore, it is more credible to obtain the inspection and certification of a third-party authority.

Second, see if the HEPA filter element level of the air purifier reaches H13 or above?

 

Some air purifier products on the market are equipped with HEPA filters, which are interwoven with very small organic fibers, which have a strong ability to capture particles (including aerosols), small pores, and high purification efficiency. Of course, the HEPA filter also has a detailed classification, and different levels have different filtration efficiencies for particles of different diameters.

 

According to authoritative testing agencies, air purifiers with MERV16 or H13 and above and with antibacterial coating and high-efficiency HEPA filter elements can filter out H1N1 viruses up to 99.99%. The reason why air cleaning has such a high removal rate of viruses is because it intercepts most of the aerosols and droplets, making the virus unable to escape.

 

According to the information released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the size of the Covid-19 is about 100 nanometers, which is similar to the size of the H1N1 virus (the size of the H1N1 virus is 80-120 nanometers), and the two are also attached to aerosols or in the air. Droplets are present.

 

In view of the similar diameter and the shared transmission route, if the air purifier is equipped with a high-efficiency HEPA filter element of MERV16 or H13 and above with an antibacterial coating, it can effectively filter out the H1N1 virus by 99.99% in a confined space through circulating purification. For viruses of approximately H1N1 size, and viruses carried on aerosols, it should also be filterable.

Third, whether the HEPA filter element has an antibacterial coating?

 

Simple physical filtration will have the risk of secondary pollution caused by residual pollutants. The high-efficiency HEPA filter with an antibacterial coating can ensure that the breeding and reproduction of microorganisms can be effectively inhibited, secondary pollution can be avoided, and the particulate matter at the air outlet can be close to zero.

 

At the moment of the epidemic, prevention is indispensable, but if you want to establish a “city wall” defense line to prevent viruses indoors, then equipped with a high-standard air purifier that has been tested and certified to filter out the virus, it is one of the important means for the indoor protection of the epidemic.