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I’ve seen a lot of questions about the importance of ventilation and the spread of SARS-CoV2. I have expertise in the science of indoor air quality & want to share some simple steps you can take to make your home & family safer during the pandemic. 1/
The pandemic is getting worse, and the holidays are coming. 2/
Keep in mind:
The coronavirus lingers in air & travels more than 6ft
It’s spread by sick, and apparently healthy but infected people who shed it with every breath.
The higher the local infection rate, the higher the number of people shedding virus in your community. 3/
The coronavirus lingers in air & travels more than 6ft
It’s spread by sick, and apparently healthy but infected people who shed it with every breath.
The higher the local infection rate, the higher the number of people shedding virus in your community. 3/
What can do you do to avoid breathing unsafe air and reduce your risk of getting COVID-19? 4/
Wear masks always, except when at home w/ people you live w/.
If someone is in your home who does not live there, everyone should wear masks.
If possible, avoid being near people & keep exposure short.
If you must schedule an indoor activity make sure everyone wears a mask. 5/
If someone is in your home who does not live there, everyone should wear masks.
If possible, avoid being near people & keep exposure short.
If you must schedule an indoor activity make sure everyone wears a mask. 5/
How can you make the indoor air in your home safer? By increased ventilation and filtration! 6/
If your home has mechanical ventilation:
Install a higher efficiency filter in your system, MERV 13, if possible.
Set the fan to “on” instead of “auto”
Add a HEPA portable air cleaner and a room humidifier. 7/
Install a higher efficiency filter in your system, MERV 13, if possible.
Set the fan to “on” instead of “auto”
Add a HEPA portable air cleaner and a room humidifier. 7/
If your home has natural ventilation- windows that open, room air conditioners, and radiators for heating:
Open windows to increase ventilation and make sure you can feel a cross breeze.
Add a HEPA portable air cleaner and a room humidifier. 8/
Open windows to increase ventilation and make sure you can feel a cross breeze.
Add a HEPA portable air cleaner and a room humidifier. 8/
Buy a HEPA portable air cleaner that matches the size of the room where you plan to use it & run it continuously, especially on the highest setting, when guests or workers are in your home. 9/
There is an economical Do it Yourself option using a box fan and MERV 13 filter – the directions can be found at this website: https://covidstraighttalk.org/boxfanairfilter
If possible, avoid air cleaners that are ionizers or use ozone- the data are lacking on their effectiveness. 10/
If possible, avoid air cleaners that are ionizers or use ozone- the data are lacking on their effectiveness. 10/
Humidifiers are important because in dry air, the virus lasts longer, and people are more susceptible to infection. Ideally, the relative humidity should be between 40% and 60%. 11/
Sensors are available to measure relative humidity & carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is exhaled during breathing and is not dangerous at levels under 1000 ppm. Outdoor air levels of CO2 hover around 400 ppm. If you use RH and CO2 sensors, you can act based on the reading. 12/
For ex, if the RH levels are low- which is common indoors during winter – you can increase your humidifier. If the CO2 levels are rising, you can open a window or use a fan to blow out the stale indoor air. 13/
Cleaner air is so important as we continue to fight this pandemic. 14/
For more info:
How can airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors be minimised? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020317876 15/
How can airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors be minimised? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020317876 15/
Can a portable air cleaner protect you from Covid? https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201103/can-portable-air-cleaner-protect-you-from-covid &
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19 16/
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19 16/
Healthy Humidity https://40to60rh.com/ 17/
Germans embrace fresh air to ward off coronavirus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/germans-embrace-fresh-air-to-ward-off-coronavirus 18/
Covid Straight Talk, a citizen preparedness for Covid19 website
https://covidstraighttalk.org/ 19/
https://covidstraighttalk.org/ 19/
Thanks to @CorsIAQ @stephensbrent @ShellyMBoulder @j_g_allen @jljcolorado @kprather88 @WBahnfleth @Wymelenberg & all the other scientists leading the fight for cleaner air 20/
Thanks to more scientists leading the way to cleaner air during #Covid_19 @linseymarr @Don_Milton @ChemDelphine @NicCarslaw @RimIAQ @IAQinGWN @marinavance @BrandonBoor @tfkahan 21/
