According to the CNN article “WHO released a new scientific report that acknowledged the virus could possibly be spread through the air in crowded indoor spaces. The international public health agency had always recognized that SARS-CoV-2 could be spread during surgeries and other aerosol generating procedures.”
The organization went on to state that outbreaks of the virus have been connected to indoor settings where people may be shouting, talking, singing, or even just being present for an extended period of time. This connection suggests an airborne route in the form of droplets.
To battle the airborne mode of transmission, HEPA air filters may play a key role. At their best, HEPA filters are 99.97% efficient at removing airborne particles equal to or larger than 0.3 microns. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to be between 0.6 to 1.4 microns. According to Allen, “filters are rated at their worst performance, so 99.97% is the worst it will do. And that’s rated for a particle size of 0.3 microns, but smaller and larger it actually does better. So the point is that it’s capturing nearly all particles.”
If a business has the resources, a HEPA filter can be combined with other technologies such as UV light which will help to destroy pathogens suspended in the air as it passes through the HVAC system.
Allen agrees that combining other technologies with a HEPA could be most beneficial. "No one strategy alone is going to work. But if we layer enough of these on top of each other, we can significantly reduce risks."
ISO-Aire Combines These 3 Technologies into One
With different virus-fighting properties, we have taken the step to combine all 3 technologies to offer the best protection against airborne contaminants that extend beyond just viruses- bacteria, mold spores, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and allergens like pollen. With guidelines from CDC, OSHA, and WHO, as well as recommendations from ASHRAE there are significant steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk when opening a business back up. Of these, improving indoor air quality is a big step in the right direction. The three big proven technologies used in cleaning air include the use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, UVC (ultraviolet-C) light, and bipolar ionization.