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://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147300 | DOI Listing |
ACS Nano
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Applications, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, People's Republic of China.
Moisture-electric generators (MEGs) generate power by adsorbing water from the air. However, their performance at low temperatures is hindered due to icing. In the present work, MEG arrays are developed by laser engraving techniques and a modulated low-temperature hydrogel as the absorbent material.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chim Acta
February 2025
Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Bioanalítica, Campinas, 13084-971, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:
Background: Distinct classes of environmental contaminants - such as microplastics, volatile organic compounds, inorganic gases, hormones, pesticides/herbicides, and heavy metals - have been continuously released into the environment from different sources. Anthropogenic activities with unprecedented consequences have impacted soil, surface waters, and the atmosphere. In this scenario, developing sensing materials and analytical platforms for monitoring water and air quality is essential to supporting worldwide environmental control agencies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol
January 2025
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Background: Children living in communities with lower socioeconomic status and higher minority populations are often disproportionately exposed to particulate matter (PM) compared to children living in other communities.
Objective: We assessed whether adding HEPA filter air cleaners to classrooms with existing HVAC systems reduces indoor air pollution exposure.
Methods: From July 2022 to June 2023, using a block randomized crossover trial of 17 Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools, classroom PM concentrations were monitored and compared for 99 classrooms with HEPA filter air cleaners and 87 classrooms with non-HEPA filter air cleaners.
Sensors (Basel)
December 2024
Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research-National Research Council (IIA-CNR), Research Area of Rome 1, Strada Provinciale 35d, Montelibretti, 9-00010 Roma, Italy.
Ecosystems and environments are impacted by atmospheric pollution, which has significant effects on human health and climate. For these reasons, devices for developing portable and low-cost monitoring systems are required to assess human exposure during daily life. In the last decade, the advancements of 3D printing technology have pushed researchers to exploit, in different fields of applications, the advantages offered, such as rapid prototyping and low-cost replication of complex sample treatment devices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol
January 2025
School of Environment, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
Vehicle nitrogen oxides (NO) significantly increase nitrogen dioxide (NO) exposure in traffic-related environments. The NO/NO ratios are crucial for accurate NO modeling and are closely linked to public health concerns. In 2020, we used a mobile platform to follow test trucks (plume-chasing) that were installed with a portable emission measuring system (PEMS) on two restricted driving tracts.
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