Ventilation: the unseen COVID-19 mitigation that is finally gaining the awareness it deserves
Two years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic, and we all probably know the protection protocol by memory: vaccines, boosters, regular hand washing, and of course, masks. However, researchers think that one of the most effective weapons against COVID-19 is ventilation, which is only now receiving the attention it deserves.
Adequate ventilation is an essential tool to combat COVID-19
Since the pandemic, doctors have highlighted how COVID-19 remained on surfaces, but they never focused on how the virus efficiently transmits in the air. In July 2020, hundreds of scientists discussed in an open letter how social distancing and Handwashing were insufficient to protect us from the virus. “Handwashing and social distancing are appropriate but, in our view, insufficient to protect virus-carrying respiratory microdroplets released into the air by infected people. This problem is especially 0
acute in indoor or enclosed environments, particularly crowded ones and have inadequate ventilation,”. The World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later recognized and agreed on what scientists and experts have been announcing: COVID-19 spreads and travels through the air (more than 6 feet) by the virus’ small aerosol particles.
Joseph Allen, the director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard T.H Chan School, stated in his interview with CNN the negative consequences of the virus’ microscopic size. Its small size affects how far it can travel and how deeply and quickly it affects how deeply and easily we can breathe it into our lungs. COVID-19 effortlessly spreads; therefore, different protocols should be implemented to reduce its transmissions to protect ourselves.
Ventilation indoors has always been important
In the late 19 century, there was a rise in tuberculosis and diphtheria cases due to the lack of knowledge of adequate ventilation in closed spaces. Later on, in that century, people finally understood how diseases spread through the air; consequently, ventilation and filtration started to get slight awareness.
We are in the 20 century and facing the same 19-century challenge. Ventilation is not seen as a decent solution, and hence, the probability of getting infected by a deadly virus in closed spaces is high.
Vaccines, boosters, and even masks protect us from COVID-19, but according to Dr. Allen, these measurements are insufficient, especially in indoor spaces. “The more people there could be higher risk because you’re more likely to have someone infectious, but if the ventilation is good, it doesn’t matter .”As Dr. Allen highlights, ventilation and the other regulations are essential tools to fight the pandemic finally.
Is proper ventilation the new solution?
The pandemic’s mantra has been, “outdoors is safer than indoors” because outdoors, there is unlimited ventilation that reduces the number of particles that might be carrying COVID-19 particles. Scientists and doctors have stated that having adequate ventilation is not a complex task. One of the best and most accessible solutions is the opening of windows. Opened windows allow air to flow inside and naturally filter the closed space. Unfortunately, some buildings are not equipped with proper windows that have the power of filtering the air in bigger areas. Still, scientists state that portable air filters can also be an additional solution to this problem. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (EPA) mentions that air filters are indeed a decent solution, but they need to meet at least one of the following aspects:
- CADR rated
- Equipped with HEPA filter
- Proof that the air filter has the power to eliminate most particles below 1 micron in size
Do AIR8 purifiers meet the EPA requirements?
At AIR8, each air purifier possesses high-quality HEPA 13 filters. HEPA 13 filters are the most powerful filters you can install in commercial appliances due to their power of eliminating 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.1 microns in size.
Our multi-stage filtration high-tech air purifiers are currently equipped with the most modern technology. We can achieve the most remarkable filtration rate and CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) thanks to the innovative technology.
AIR8 air purifiers meet not only one but all the characteristics Dr. Allen mentioned. Ventilation is finally recognized as a powerful tool to combat COVID-19. Therefore, the combinations of old COVID-19 protection protocols and air purifiers in interior spaces will reduce the spread of this virus and, most importantly, protect us.