Can HEPA Filters Stop COVID-19?
Are HEPA Filters Effective Against COVID-19 and Other Viruses?
Do HEPA Filters Remove Viruses And Combat COVID-19? | FilterBuy
Making Schools Safe: How HEPA Air Purifiers Can Reduce COVID Risk (alen.com)
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/can-hepa-air-purifiers-capture-coronavirus/
Short answer: yes! Airborne viral particles typically range from 0.3 to 100 microns in diameter, with virus particles in the 1-to-10-micron range posing the greatest threat to human health. All true HEPA filters can capture more than 99% of particles of 0.3 microns are smaller, making them an excellent tool for catching airborne viruses in homes, offices, schools, bedrooms, apartments, and anywhere viruses could be present.
How the Virus Spreads:
As you probably already know, COVID-19 can spread very easily from person to person. The transmission rate is higher than even that of influenza. This high contagion rate is the reason that public health and government officials have imposed aggressive safety measures, such as quarantines, social distancing, and mask mandates, throughout the world to help decrease the rapid spread of COVID-19.
Direct vs Airborne Transmission
Direct Transmission
There are two possible ways which COVID-19 spreads: direct, or close contact transmission, and airborne transmission. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 most commonly spreads through close contact. Close contact is described as directly touching or being within 6 feet of another person, especially in an indoor environment.
In these circumstances, the virus can spread easily through respiratory droplets, which are small particles which people produce when they cough, sneeze, talk, and breathe. These respiratory droplets can contain the virus and may cause infection when they are inhaled or make contact with mucous membranes in the nose or mouth.
Airborne Transmission
Airborne transmission refers to viral spread caused by particles and droplets which linger in the air for potentially hours after an infected person is in the space. The risk of airborne transmission is dramatically increased in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation or filtration. Under these circumstances, COVID-19 can potentially infect people greater than 6 feet away, such as those in the same room for an extended period of time, such as might be the case in a classroom, small office, household, or gym.
Though it is much more common for the virus to spread through close contact, having proper HEPA filtration can capture airborne viral particles and further reduce the potential for airborne transmission.
A study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' Laboratory of Virology in the Division of Intramural Research in Hamilton, Montana found that infectious diseases, including coronaviruses, could remain in the air for up to 3 hours.
How HEPA Filters Can Help
All True HEPA filters can capture over 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns in size or larger. Since most infectious viral particles including Coronavirus particles are larger than this size, true HEPA quality filters can capture and reduce the number of viral particles in the air. This can significantly reduce the potential for infection, especially in small, enclosed, or poorly ventilated spaces.
According to a study on aerosol transmission, the most dangerous airborne coronavirus particles are between the size of 1 and 10 microns. This is good news because a true HEPA filter can capture nearly all of these larger particles.
When choosing a replacement HEPA filter, it is crucial to select a true HEPA filter such as those offered by TrueGuard in order to ensure optimal safety and effectiveness when it comes to filtering potentially dangerous particles out of the air. Other replacement filters may not meet HEPA standards. These lower quality filters are often sold under names such as “HEPA Type” or “HEPA Like” and do not meet true HEPA standards.
Where to Get True Replacement HEPA Filters
TrueGuard replacement HEPA filters and activated carbon pre-filters combine to form the ultimate tag team against household odors and pollutants. Designed to fit nearly all popular air filter models, our replacement filters save you money while eliminating pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and so much more! Click *here* to view our wide assortment of replacement HEPA Filters and Activated Carbon Pre-Filters and find the product that is right for you!
Additional Resources:
Do HEPA Filters Remove Viruses And Combat COVID-19? | FilterBuy
Making Schools Safe: How HEPA Air Purifiers Can Reduce COVID Risk (alen.com)
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/can-hepa-air-purifiers-capture-coronavirus/