This is a list of portable air cleaners (Table 1) suitable for use in household and/or commercial settings for reducing airborne particulates including particles associated with coronaviruses, based on data provided by suppliers. This list should be read in conjunction with NEA’s Technical Advisory on Use of Air-Cleaning Technologies to Mitigate COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission Risk for guidance on the use of air cleaners amid the COVID-19 situation.
Portable air cleaners are generally equipped with two types of technologies for air cleaning:
1 While ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been demonstrated to be efficacious against SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols, effectiveness is highly dependent on individual product design.
The products listed are assessed on:
i) clean air delivery rate (CADR) for removal of cigarette smoke (diameter 0.1 – 1.0 µm);
ii) ozone emission (for electronic portable air cleaners);
iii) photobiological safety (for portable air cleaners containing UV light);
iv) electrical safety (in accordance with IEC 60335-2-65 standard or equivalent).
Please note that other than ozone emission level, the safety of other emissions from ion-generating electronic portable air cleaners has not been assessed. Consumers are advised to exercise caution and request relevant safety data from suppliers to ensure the safe use of these devices.
Sizing of portable air cleaners
When choosing a portable air cleaner, select a unit that is appropriately sized for the space. The minimum smoke CADR (in m3/h or cmh) effected by air filters that a unit should provide for a particular room size can be estimated as follows:
Smoke CADR (cmh) effected by air filters ≥ room size (m3) × 5
In spaces where ventilation cannot be easily improved (e.g. no operable windows), and/or in spaces with high-risk activities2, and/or if portable air cleaners contain electronic air-cleaning technologies3, the sizing of portable air cleaners is recommended as follows:
Overall smoke CADR (cmh) ≥ room size (m3) × 7
2Such spaces include those where bioaerosol-generating procedures are performed on people (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab taking and dental procedures), where COVID-19 patients may be present, or where masks must be removed. 3Where smoke CADR is tested based on both air filters and electronic air-cleaning technologies such as ionisers. As the effectiveness of the electronic air-cleaning technologies against SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols is unknown, additional sizing is recommended.
Table 1. List of portable air cleaners effective against COVID-19 virus aerosols
The table will be updated as new data emerge and data from more products are gathered.
This list is based on the data submitted by the suppliers.
The devices listed in the Table are also effective against smoke haze. The overall smoke CADR (i.e. including the effect of all components) may reflect the effectiveness against smoke haze.
Any company marketing air cleaners that are effective against coronavirus aerosols can submit enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
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© 2022 National Environment Agency Last updated 30 May 2022