tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Sci Total Environ
. 2021 Apr 29;785:147300.
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147300. Online ahead of print.
Are the Portable Air Cleaners (PAC) really effective to terminate airborne SARS-CoV-2?
Mar?a Rodr?guez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], M Llanos Palop[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Susana Sese?a[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ana Rodr?guez[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Airborne SARS-CoV-2; Portable Air Cleaners; Surfaces; Viral particles.
. 2021 Apr 29;785:147300.
doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147300. Online ahead of print.
Are the Portable Air Cleaners (PAC) really effective to terminate airborne SARS-CoV-2?
Mar?a Rodr?guez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], M Llanos Palop[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Susana Sese?a[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ana Rodr?guez[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33940414
- DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147300
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Airborne SARS-CoV-2; Portable Air Cleaners; Surfaces; Viral particles.