University of East Anglia: Air cleaners don't stop you getting sick, research shows

[OKIsItJustMe]

Air cleaners don’t stop you getting sick, research shows

By: Communications

Friday 17 November 2023

Air filtration systems do not reduce the risk of picking up viral infections, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

A new study published today reveals that technologies designed to make social interactions safer in indoor spaces are not effective in the real world.

The team studied technologies including air filtration, germicidal lights and ionisers.

They looked at all the available evidence but found little to support hopes that these technologies can make air safe from respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.

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[hlthe2b]

1. They were originally designed to remove allergens, so the conclusion is limited to infectious agents

I agree that they have been falsely advertised/hyped with eliminating--especially with COVID-19, which is pretty ludicrous with respect to any respiratory virus for a simple household air filter system.

With far more filtration than these could ever provide and dilution with massive amounts of piped-in fresh air (and negative pressure to prevent viral escape to other areas of the home as we do to contain TB), a case could be made that the premise is not ridiculous. But not with a simple HEPA household filter system. But, it is not true that they cannot be of value for those with allergies and asthma, which is what they were originally designed for.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. But this is even more than just filters

Lead researcher Dr Julii Brainard, also from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “The kinds of technologies that we considered included filtration, germicidal lights, ionisers and any other way of safely removing viruses or deactivating them in breathable air.

[hlthe2b]

3. My point is the same. It is a matter of concentration. No small household unit is going to

kill viruses in a large (even room-sized) airspace, even if they add germicidal lights, ionizers, and dual-level HEPA filtration. That does not mean germicidal lights can not kill some organisms IN CLOSE CONTACT, including bacteria (albeit unlikely most viruses at all or at least to safe levels). They (germicidal lighting) ARE used in many BL1-3 laboratories to supplement other protective features, including negative pressure, ventilation hoods, and obviously personal protective gear, but everything about these settings is controlled, including all aspects of ventilation, airflow, air evacuation and air turn-over.

These HEPA filtration units were designed (and do work well) to assist with reducing air-borne allergens that stimulate indoor allergies/asthma and in this aspect, CAN improve/protect health.