Coronavirus is a recent global outbreak that has caused a threat to human lives all around the world. With its first identified case in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, this virus had claimed the lives of many to date. Recently, on 11th March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this virus pandemic. This virus has caused a lot of fear, panic, and have affected both the social and economic lives of many people.

The Coronavirus is mainly spread through respiratory activities like sneezing and coughing. Common symptoms related to this virus include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. It usually takes around five days for the symptoms to appear after a person has been exposed to the virus. There is no specific treatment or vaccine to cure this virus as of now, but efforts are being made to eradicate it at the earliest. As per a study, this virus can survive in the air for several hours. 

People have been advised to take preventive measures in order to protect themselves from being infected. This includes washing hands, using hand sanitizers, covering mouth while coughing and sneezing, maintaining a distance of about 1 meter from other people, staying indoors, and a self-isolation for 14 days for those who have been tested positive of the virus. 

How do air purifiers help?

Another way of preventing yourself from the Coronavirus is by using air purifiers at home. It is very important to breathe quality air while staying indoors. Air purifiers may help or prevent you from the virus by trapping harmful germs and viruses causing agents present in the air. In order to filter airborne viruses such as the COVID-19, an air purifier with a Super HEPA filter is needed since the size of the Coronavirus is as minute as 0.1 microns. Air purifiers that are equipped with SUPER HEPA FILTERS can efficiently capture airborne virus particles which, once trapped, cannot remain infectious for long nor multiply. This allows for the circulation of clean air and helps in keeping our immune system strong. This does not, however, mean that air purifiers can be used to cure a person who has been infected by the virus. It is just a way of preventing ourselves from the virus by ensuring good air quality inside our homes.

Various manufactures have started donating air purifiers to different countries in order to help control the spread of the Coronavirus. Companies like Aller Air have also recently sent some air purifiers to China in order to help reduce and control of the virus. Besides having features like the Super HEPA filter, these air cleaners are also equipped with an ultraviolet bulb which effectively kills any airborne bacteria, germs, and viruses such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Categories of air purifiers

The main purpose of an air purifier is to filter out any dust particles, smoke, pollens, or any airborne pollutants. However, not all air purifiers are the same since different air purifiers have different abilities. While some are capable of filtering large particles like hair, dirt, and dander, while some are capable of trapping tiny particles like odor, germs, mold, and viruses.

Air purifiers can be divided into different categories depending on the type of technology used. Here are the two most commonly categorized ones:

HEPA air purifiers

HEPA air purifiers are one of the most common and popular types of air purifiers. They are very effective in removing particles like mold, pollen, dust, and other ultra-fine large air particles. This type of air purifier consists of filters made of fiber-like material with a number of tiny holes, which is strategically placed to trap pollutants that are bigger in size so that they cannot pass through these holes. As air passes through the filter, harmful particles are destroyed by a process of interception, and fresher and purified air comes out of it. As air passes through the filter multiple times, it gets cleaner. HEPA filters are also designed to trap and eliminate 99.7% of air particles as small as 0.1 microns. 

Ultraviolet air purifiers

The ultraviolet air purifier is a product of inspiration from hospitals that disinfects patients’ rooms and other important areas using a special kind of ultraviolet light bulbs. This type of air purifier uses ultraviolet light to remove harmful bacteria, pathogens, and viruses from your home. Ultraviolet air purifiers are very compact, and they can filter out any polluted air at home through a UV light chamber. The UV lights in the purifier destroy 99.9% of particles as well as break the DNA of the pathogens that prevents them from reproducing further. 

The best medical-grade air purifiers that can help prevent coronavirus are:

• Aller Air 5000 MCS Super Air Purifier
• KLARWIND Air Purifier
• IQ Air GC Multigas Air Purifier
• Aller air airmedic+

Aller Air 5000 MCS Super Air Purifier

The Aller Air 5000 MCS super air purifier is an excellent air purifier that can combat particles and VOCs because of its three-stage filtration process. In the first phase, air passes through a pre-filter, which is designed to capture particles of relatively large size. Then in the second phase, the air goes through a three-inch activated carbon filter. This filter consists of a powder-coated canister that absorbs harmful gas odors, smoke, and various airborne chemicals. Finally, in the third phase, air passes through a micro- HEPA filter that helps trap 99.97% of carbon dust particles and bacteria.

Features 

• It consists of ozone-free filtration technology. 
• It also covers an area of up to 1500 square feet. 
• It has refillable carbon canisters.

KLARWIND Air Purifier

The KLARWIND air purifier is one of the best energy-efficient air cleaners. This purifier comes with a powerful 360-degree pollutant inhalation while delivering airflow of long distances. It cleans every inch and corner of your room from the floor to the ceiling. Its purification process also undergoes through 5 steps capturing heavy dust particles as well as minute dust up to 99.9%. In the first step, air passes through a prefilter, which traps large dust and particles. In the second step, the HEPA filter removes allergy-causing agents and other smaller particles. Then in the third step, air passes through another HEPA filter, which helps trap molds. In the fourth step, the HEPA filter traps and removes 99.9% of fine particles, and finally, in the fifth step, it removes all five harmful gases that are present in the air. This filter is excellent in capturing harmful gases, dust, allergies, pollen, smoke, and mold. The filters last up to 6 to 12 months, depending on how much you use it.

The KLARWIND air purifier also consists of a photocatalytic coating that can purify the air with the same effect as 70-80 large trees. The coating of the filter degrades odor particles by reacting with fluorescent and LED lights, as well as with the sunlight. It also supports a Wi-Fi connection that enables voice recognition and remote control facility through your smartphone. 

Features

• It consists of a high grade H13 true heap filters. 
• It also consists of a deodorization filter with five steps purification process.
• It is highly energy-efficient.
• Ultra low noise fan.
• It has an artificial intelligence air purification technology with 4 step air cleanliness color display system.
• It is also Alexa compatible.

IQ Air GC Multigas Air Purifier

The IQ GC multigas air purifier is the number one rated room air purifier for tobacco smokes and other chemical gases. Its GC multigas consists of activated carbons, which preserves micropores to the maximum. It can also pack chemical removal power, which is equivalent to or more than 100 gas masks. Its superior filter provides an unmatched level of protection against chemicals, odors, and gases. This filter is designed with four disposable gas-phase filter cartridges, which features 5.4kgs activated carbon of the highest bituminous coal. The carbon media is activated in such a way so as to possibly preserve the maximum number of micropores. 

Potassium permanganate fused with alumina pallets helps to remove formaldehyde present in the air. This air purifier also allows optimal contact between the filtration media and the air due to the cylindrical shape of the cartridges. Besides that, its post-filters help in preventing any kind of media dust from being released by wrapping each cylinder of the air purifier. This improves the overall efficiency of the system while providing quality air.

Features

• Its even flows diffuser ensures a 320-degree air delivery.
• Sophisticated controls with color-coded lights that indicate whether a filter needs to be changed.
• Its triple-seal technology eliminates any type of air leakages.
• The GC multigas also consists of a Hyper HEPA pre-filter.

Aller air airmedic+

The Aller Airmedic air purifier is a perfect choice for people who are in search for advanced protection against dangerous particles and hazardous chemicals. This air purifier provides one of the most effective technology for air purification. With a deep-bed carbon filter of 18lb, the airmedic+ is highly effective in filtering out odors, chemicals, and gases. A remarkable feature of this air purifier is the use of medical-grade HEPA filters that can eliminate99.97% of any airborne particles of size0.3 microns. It takes the contaminated air all around the body, filters it through the inside, and finally pushes the clean air through the top. You can also customize this air purifier by installing a UV light with it in order to provide extra protection.

Features

• It consists of three simple fan speed controller at the front.
• It also features a 360 air intake.
• The motor is perfectly sealed. 
• It also features a sure-seal gasket.

FAQs

1. Can air purifiers protect you from the Coronavirus? 

Yes, air purifiers can protect you from the Coronavirus. However, this does not mean that all air purifiers can protect you from the virus. Most ordinary air purifiers are only capable of trapping microns of .3 or larger in size, whereas the size of a coronavirus is approximately .1 microbes. Thus, only air purifiers that have a super HEPA filter system are capable of filtering microns of .1 in size. Also, air purifiers that are equipped with a UV bulb can effectively kill many airborne bacteria, germs, and viruses such as the corona disease in 2019. The UV light present in the purifier helps to neutralize molds and damage the DNA. Air purifiers, however, do not assure a cure from the virus. This means that a person who has already been infected by the virus cannot be cured by using an air purifier.

2. Can masks protect people from the Coronavirus?

No, wearing masks does not mean that you will be immune to the virus. There is a wide misconception that wearing a mask will protect you 100% from the virus. The main purpose of a face mask is to help trap droplets, which is the main mode of transmission of the virus. WHO has also stated that masks are mainly meant to be worn by people who have been infected with the virus. It reduces the chances of the virus from being transmitted to other people.

3. What is an air purifier?

An air purifier is a device that is specifically designed to clean the contaminated air at home. It comes in both small and large units that can be attached to an HVAC. An air purifier removes any impurities present in the air, such as dust, odors, pet dander, and smoke. It usually consists of a fan and a filter or multiple filters that can suck in the contaminated air and circulate fine air out. Different air purifiers also consist of different purification technology like UV light, ionic technology, high heat, exhaust system, or HEPA filters. 

Conclusion

Having an air purifier at home ensures you and your family a healthy air to breathe in. Besides protecting you from various germs, viruses, odors, dust, and other particles, air purifiers also help in keeping your lungs healthy. You just need to remember that all air purifiers do not serve the same purpose and so you need to purchase the one which best fits your situation.