Effects of Air Purifiers on the Spread of Simulated Respiratory Droplet Nuclei and Virus Aggregates

The present study was performed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of air purifiers on the spread of COVID-19 and to suggest guidelines for their safe use. To simulate respiratory droplet nuclei and nano-sized virus aggregates, deionized water containing 100 nm of polystyrene latex (PSL) particles was sprayed using a vibrating mesh nebulizer, and the changes in the particle number concentration were measured for various locations of the particle source and air purifier in a standard 30 m3 test chamber. The spread of the simulated respiratory droplet nuclei by the air purifier was not significant, but the nano-sized aggregates were significantly affected by the airflow generated by the air purifier. However, due to the removal of the airborne particles by the HEPA filter contained in the air purifier, continuous operation of the air purifier reduced the number concentration of both the simulated respiratory droplet nuclei and nano-sized aggregates in comparison to the experiment without operation of the air purifier. The effect of the airflow generated by the air purifier on the spread of simulated respiratory droplet nuclei and nano-sized aggregates was negligible when the distance between the air purifier and the nebulizer exceeded 1 m.