Are you looking into more pathogen protection measures? Find out if air purifiers can help protect you against airborne pathogens.
Looking for ways to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic? We can help. For today’s prevention tips, we explore the question: “Can air purifiers protect against airborne pathogens?”
In this guide, you’ll learn what units are effective at stopping the spread of airborne pathogens and what equipment is capable of killing airborne pathogens. These claims are backed by facts and expert research. The bottom line is, if you get the right type of air purifier and use it correctly, you can minimize the spread of airborne pathogens in your business or facility.
Can Air Purifiers Kill Viruses?
The first thing you need to know is that not all air purifiers are made to stop viruses. However, there are some types of air purifiers that do claim to eliminate or neutralize airborne contagions.
Some of these work differently than others. And there’s only one type that has proven to kill airborne pathogens. Here are a few different types of air purifiers and what they do (or don’t do) to destroy or kill viruses.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Manufacturers of ionic air purifiers claim these devices can trap dust and other particles (including some viruses) in their filters. While there are some arguments as to how effective these types of purifiers are, these machines do emit varying levels of ozone, a dangerous pollutant! Even if ionic purifiers did do anything against airborne pathogens, it isn’t worth polluting your indoor air and our planet.
HEPA Filter Purifiers
HEPA filtration systems are much safer than ionic purifiers with no negative side effects. Plus, the filter is very efficient at trapping microscopic particles of a certain size, as air circulates through your building.
However, these systems do not actually kill the virus. They only trap them. And the filters lose effectiveness when they need to be changed (about once a month). And while these filters are being changed, you risk releasing the trapped particles back into the air, putting you back at square one.
UVC Air Purifiers
UVC air purifiers, like the ones like the Air Sniper, are the best option for stopping the spread of airborne pathogens. Specifically, the UVC light they emanate destroys, not traps, many viruses. It actually breaks down the genetic material of the virus.
Previously, our UVC purifiers have been tested on pathogens such as mould, influenza and Staph infection with a kill efficiency rate of 99.9%. Now, we’re proud to announce that our stand-alone Air Sniper has been tested and proven to kill airborne pathogens! Upon testing, our independent lab found that 15 minutes of exposure to the UVC reduces airborne pathogens by 90%, 30 minutes reduced it by 99%, and a full hour reduced the presence of airborne pathogens by greater than 99.9%.
Can Air Purifiers Prevent the Spread of Airborne Pathogens?
While no type of air purifier can guarantee to completely eliminate the spread of airborne pathogens in any building, especially since purifying all the air in the building does take time, it can drastically reduce the risk of spread in indoor facilities.
Today’s prevention tips can be summed up very simply: Get the right kind of UVC air purifier that has the power and design to minimize the spread of airborne pathogens in your building. Air Snipers are constructed with industrial and commercial spaces in mind, maximizing the effectiveness of your sanitization process.
If you’re considering an air sanitization solution and need to understand what is right for your facility, then talk to us about what you need. Click here to learn more about the benefits of using Air Sniper purifiers to clean your air.
