Why Cleaning Air Is More Important Than Disinfecting Surfaces

Over the course of the pandemic, scientists have shifted their focus from encouraging people to disinfect contaminated surfaces to prioritizing the cleaning of indoor air in order to slow the infection rate.

In January and February, researchers studied the virus under pristine lab conditions, using larger amounts of the virus than would normally be found in real-life scenarios. Their initial studies advised people to wipe down groceries, doorknobs, and packages while also recommending the use of gloves. This led to many individuals overreacting, which included:

– Excessively using disinfectant sprays to clean the air
– Wiping groceries down with bleach and vinegar, which created chlorine gas
– Public area workers spending hours each day cleaning surfaces

The prevailing thought was that individuals could contract the virus by touching contaminated surfaces and then transferring it to their eyes, nose, or mouth. Linsey Marr, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech who studies the airborne transmission of infectious diseases, noted in an NPR interview, “All the evidence points toward breathing in the virus from the air as being the most important route of transmission.”

Airborne Transmission

Today, scientists recognize that airborne transmission is the primary method of spreading the virus. The best ways to combat this transmission include wearing masks, washing hands, limiting time spent indoors with others, and cleaning the air.

Clean Your Air with Whole-Home Purification 

A whole-home purifier can clean the air in your home using bi-polar ionization. This process releases negative and positive ions into your home’s air through the HVAC system. These ions attach to pollutants, including viruses, making it easier to filter them out. By binding to the pollutants, the ions create larger clusters that are then captured by your home’s air filter as air circulates through the HVAC system.

This purification process also helps clean surfaces. Rather than spending money on sanitizing wipes, consider investing in a whole-home active air purifier, such as the Dust Free.

For more information contact 3C Mechanical about clean air.