N95 Masks, HEPA Filters & COVID

What’s an HVAC firm doing writing about COVID masks? Nicely, that’s an attention-grabbing story…

We work with high-quality air filters as a part of our work. Amongst different makes use of, higher filters can seize and neutralize airborne contaminants that embody many viruses.

We’ve written about house air high quality a bunch, together with its implications for shielding in opposition to COVID-19 (extra formally often known as SARS-COV-2). And we’ll proceed to take action as extra data comes out about each the risks and potential options in mitigating coronavirus threat.

RELATED: Can HVAC Shield In opposition to COVID-19 and Different Diseases?

However even we have been a bit stunned after we began to see movies cropping up on-line of individuals retrofitting facemasks with supplies from HVAC filters! It wasn’t lengthy after that we began to area an increasing number of questions on HVAC and COVID, together with the occasional query about facemasks.

There’s numerous misinformation on the market concerning COVID response, however there’s additionally rather a lot that we do know from repeated research and skilled suggestions. So we’re right here to disambiguate on the subject of filters and virus safety.

As with something concerning COVID-19, most of the conclusions drawn are finest understood as provisional, and topic to additional testing and scrutiny. Like everybody else, we’re absorbing data because it is available in, to offer the very best and most full data to our prospects and on-line viewers.

What are N95 Masks and HEPA Filters?

An N95 masks or N95 respirator can filter particles at a fee that’s compliant with the U.S. Nationwide Institute for Occupational Security and Well being (NIOSH) N95 classification of air filtration. This classification implies that the masks or respirator filters a minimum of 95% of airborne particles.

Within the case of N95 masks, they’re 95% efficient at filtering for particles of 0.3 microns in dimension.

Microns are predictably small models of measurement. The typical width of a human hair is roughly 70 microns, to offer you a way of scale. Particles which can be 0.3 microns are actually tons of of instances smaller than that width.

We’ll speak extra about micron filtration and filtration effectivity later, because it will get a bit technical.

HEPA stands for “Excessive-Effectivity Particulate Air.” These filters can theoretically take away a minimum of 99.97% of particles with a dimension of 0.3 microns. These particles can (and do) embody micro organism and viruses.

There’s yet one more acronym I wish to throw at you (final one, I promise!), since will probably be necessary in a minute: MERV. This stands for “Minimal Effectivity Reporting Worth,” which is only a fancy manner of claiming that it measures filter effectivity at filtering for particulates.

MERV is used to fee HVAC air filters. Some higher-MERV filters qualify as HEPA based mostly on their effectivity.

Can N95 and HEPA Block COVID?

The quick reply is sure. The longer reply requires a deeper understanding of how filtration works and the way particles bond to 1 one other to grow to be trapped in a filter. In short, although, coronavirus particles, in addition to equally small virus particles, may be trapped by such supplies.

The pushback in some dialogue circles comes from the truth that SARS-COV-2 particles are smaller than 0.3 microns. So which means they’ll go by way of an N95 masks or HEPA filter, proper? No, however the causes for this aren’t at all times apparent.

For starters, coronavirus particles don’t journey alone. One infectious illness skilled from Virginia Tech confirmed that “bare” COVID particles aren’t being transmitted. As an alternative, they bond to different particles and journey collectively. Because of this there’s a lot emphasis on moisture droplets, equivalent to mucus or saliva from sneezes. With restricted exceptions, it’s these droplets which can be the priority on the subject of masks and filtration. Fortuitously, such droplets are extra simply captured by filters.

The second purpose that filters can seize virus particles has to do with micron dimension, and why 0.3 microns isn’t the smallest dimension they’ll realistically neutralize.

The Science of Particle Seize

As talked about earlier, N95 masks have that title as a result of they filter out 95% of particles of 0.3 microns. What isn’t talked about in that description is that 0.3 microns is definitely their least efficient dimension. The proportion might be increased – typically considerably so – under or above that dimension.

So N95 masks are 95% at their lowest effectivity. This implies good issues for capturing particulates which can be smaller than this, together with many viruses.

Particles smaller than 0.3 microns additionally have a tendency to maneuver erratically, which implies they aren’t “passing by way of” a masks in the way in which we’d think about. Moreover, N95 masks make the most of charged fibers within the masks itself to draw particles. On this manner, the masks act as magnets, not merely as a barrier. HEPA filters work equally, attracting charged particles along with merely performing as a wall for others.

Importantly, masks can lose this cost, which makes them much less efficient. That is the explanation why reusing masks will not be typically really useful except there isn’t a different choice.

Reusing N95 Masks

The inventor of the N95 masks lately got here out of retirement to handle the problem of reusing masks, and whereas the potential options different, there are protected methods to reuse masks finally. Particularly as masks shortages proceed to plague the nation, this may be crucial.

Briefly, he discovered that leaving them unused in an remoted location for per week was enough for the micro organism in them to grow to be inactive. Different, extra proactive strategies included hanging them within the oven (!) for half-hour at round 160 levels.

Can You Use HEPA HVAC Filters as Masks?

We wouldn’t advocate it when you’ve got higher choices, however based mostly on the analysis surrounding the usage of HEPA filters as masks, the reply seems to be a powerful “sure.”

So, first off, for all the explanations we listed above, HEPA filters are fairly nice at capturing microscopic virus particles.

Because of this, for instance, having a high-quality filter in your HVAC system is such an enormous deal for year-round well being. It’s additionally why altering your filter repeatedly is necessary.

The opposite large concern is whether or not or not HEPA filters include something that may be dangerous to your well being if used repeatedly. The potential considerations embody tiny fiberglass particles or different supplies used of their creation.

The degrees of fiberglass particulates have confirmed to be nominal at worst, and properly inside acceptable limits. Scholarly research have labeled HEPA particulates as not more than minor irritants, on par with small quantities of mud.

MERV Scores & Filtration

Keep in mind the MERV acronym I discussed at the start? Nicely hey, we’re lastly circling again to it!

Present data on the virus means that MERV 13 (or increased) is the really useful effectivity for a filter to have the ability to successfully neutralize the coronavirus.

If you happen to’re involved about supplies utilized in fiberglass HEPA filters, some high-MERV filters use solely polyester and cotton. Heck, one firm is promoting MERV-13 materials for simply this function.

RELATED: Indoor Air High quality: Air Filtration & Air Purifying HVAC Merchandise

Shield Your self Responsibly

That is all attention-grabbing, however none of this data implies that you need to begin tearing up your furnace filter to make use of in facemasks.

The rationale for that is that we hope you’ve gotten entry to higher choices with out having to DIY an answer that includes ruining an costly air filter. Even with the info on this stuff, if a masks is constructed poorly, it gained’t present correct safety like many professionally-made masks will.

So then why speak about this in any respect? Just a few causes:

1. Data that helps perceive a menace is rarely a nasty factor.
2. Making a DIY masks could also be a “final resort” for some with out entry to good safety gear.
3. Understanding the science behind masks utilization will help you shield your self in different methods, together with once you put on a masks or how usually you reuse masks.
4. Lastly, it highlights the necessity for good filtration in your house in addition to in a facemask.

That final level is our wheelhouse right here at Fireplace & Ice. We’ve recognized in regards to the significance of high quality filtration for years, and now we’re seeing that significance play out on a worldwide scale.

Possibly you don’t want a DIY facemask. However perhaps you might use an improve to your own home’s filter, one that won’t solely assist mitigate the danger of COVID, however will even preserve you and your loved ones more healthy all year long in opposition to a wide range of airborne threats.

If that’s you, give your HVAC companion a name. If you happen to’re in Columbus, Ohio, or the encompassing areas, we hope that your first name is to us. We wish to make sure the well being and security of our prospects, incomes your belief by way of experience and a spotlight to element. In these harmful instances, our work may not resolve the world’s ills, however it may well make a distinction for a person house and the individuals who stay there.