Researchers say air purifiers don’t prevent you from getting sick

11/12/2023

Health Diary Editorial

does not work

The COVID-19 pandemic has made air filtration systems extremely popular, with some products being sold that promise extremely high levels of protection against viruses and bacteria.

This is not what Julie Brainard and colleagues from the University of East Anglia (UK) discovered when reviewing all analyzes of these devices performed using scientific standards.

The team studied technologies including air purification, germicidal lights, and ionizers, used in real-world environments such as schools or nursing homes.

The team’s conclusion that air filtration systems do not reduce the risk of viral infection reveals that technologies designed to make social interactions safer indoors are not effective in the real world.

“In summary, we found no strong evidence that air remediation technologies can protect people in real-world environments. There is plenty of evidence that environmental and surface contamination can be reduced through a variety of air remediation strategies, especially photobactericides and high-efficiency insecticides.” Brainard said: “Particulate air filtration (HEPA). But accumulating evidence suggests that these techniques do not stop or reduce the disease.”

“Our findings are disappointing – but it is important that public health decision-makers have a complete picture,” the researcher added, adding that there may be new developments in the field soon, as more studies into the Covid-19 pandemic continue. . To spread.