As many of you know, our Ducted Dehumidifiers are capable of being very effective Air Purifiers as well. With the optional HEPA Air Filter and UV Lamp Filter they greatly improve air quality in your environment. Here I’ll be sharing my findings on using HEPA Filter, UV Light and Dehumidification for destroying the rapidly spreading Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
First let me preface this by saying most transmission occurs through touching an infected surface or by a nearby person expelling it by coughing, talking or even breathing. Microscopic droplets of water from an infected person may float through the air, carrying the virus. Some sources state the virus can last up to 3 hours in the air however the virus is not considered airborne. Washing your hands for 20 seconds and practicing social distancing are proven effective methods and air purification/dehumidification may only be a small risk reduction.
HEPA Filters
HEPA filters will filter particles down to 0.3 micron (The testing standard) however the Coronavirus is closer to 0.125 micron. In practical tests, HEPA filters still prove extremely efficient at capturing particles down to 0.01 micron (10 nanometers). This means while the capture rate may not be perfect, it’s highly likely for the virus to not make it through the filter.
UV Lamp Filter – The Best Killer
Our Ducted Dehumidifiers can also be equipt with a UV Lamp. UV light is extremely good at killing and inactivating viruses. UV scrambles the DNA sequence, preventing the virus from being able to replicate. Once this happens it’s harmless.
Dehumidification Effects on the Coronavirus
Viruses last longer in cool, moist or extremely dry conditions. Warmer temperatures and medium humidity levels ~40-60% RH will kill the virus faster. If the air is too moist, droplets from sick people may not dry out on surfaces making the virus more easily transmittable. However if the air is too dry it causes our nose to dry out, making it easier for the virus to be caught. In extreme low and high humidity (20% and 80% RH, 20c) situations, the Coronavirus has been seen to last as long as 28 days on stainless steel. While in a medium humidity of 50% RH 20c it’s been observed to last closer to 3 days.
