Are the Portable Air Cleaners (PAC) really effective to terminate airborne SARS-CoV-2?

Sci Total Environ

Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avenida Carlos III, s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain.

Published: September 2021

The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus through aerosols has become an outstanding issue, where plenty of spread aspects are being analyzed. Portable Air Cleaners (PAC) with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been discussed as an adjunctive means for indoor environments coronavirus decontamination. This study evaluates, first, the air and surfaces SARS-COV-2 RNA contamination due to positive patients in households, and second, the efficiency of a PAC with HEPA filter to eliminate virus. A total of 29 air and surface samples were collected inside 9 households, by using an air portable collector with gelatin filters and swabs. SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection was performed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Overall, all the air samples collected before using PAC and 75% of swab samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2. After the PAC usage, all samples except one were negative, displaying a 80% device effectiveness. Portable HEPA cleaners usage allowed the removal of SARS CoV-2 and, therefore, they could be recommended for places with inadequate ventilation, considering the limitations and functionality of the device.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8081570PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147300DOI Listing

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