Real-World Effectiveness of Portable Air Cleaners in Reducing Home Particulate Matter Concentrations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Black KG ; Calderón LD ; De Resende A ; Kipen HM ; Laumbach RJ ; Legard A ; Lu FT ; Mainelis G ; Myers NT ; Ohman-Strickland PA
• Description:
  Rationale: Portable air cleaners (PACs) equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are gaining interest as an energy-efficient and cost-effective means of decreasing indoor particulate matter (PM) air pollutants and airborne viruses. The performance of PACs in naturalistic settings and in indoor spaces beyond the room containing the PAC (i.e., secondary rooms) is not well characterized. This is the first report of the effects of a PAC on particle concentrations in a secondary room and the impacts of central air systems on PAC performance. Methods: We conducted a single-blinded randomized cross-over interventional study of the homes of adults who tested positive for COVID-19. Real-time measurement of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations was performed (AirVisual Pro, IQAIR, La Mirada, California) in 29 homes for two consecutive 24-hour periods in the primary room containing the PAC and a secondary room. The intervention was air filtration with the PAC operated with the HEPA filter installed ("filter" state) versus removed ("sham" state, i.e., control). Results were stratified by time period (overall, day, and night) and usage of a central air handler (any use versus no use). Effectiveness of the PAC was calculated as the percent reduction in mean PM concentrations during the filter state. Significance testing was by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Overall PAC effectiveness in reducing PM concentrations was 66.1% and 66.1% (n=26) for both PM2.5 and PM10 fractions, respectively, in primary rooms and 13.9% and 25.0% (n=23), respectively, in secondary rooms. When a central air handler was used, PAC-associated reductions in PM in primary rooms was enhanced as overall PAC effectiveness for PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations increased to 81.1% and 79.4%, respectively, in primary rooms and 63.3% and 64.7%, respectively, in secondary rooms. Conclusions: PACs substantially and significantly reduced PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in primary rooms. Although not significant for the number of homes investigated, we also found reduced PM concentrations for secondary rooms in this regard. Central air handlers potentiate the effectiveness of PACs in primary rooms and to a lesser extent in secondary rooms. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety
• Keywords:
  Air Cleaning COVID-19 HEPA Filters High-efficiency Particulate Air Filters Indoor Environments Particulates
• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  New Jersey ; OSHA Region 2 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  207
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070248
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023 May; 207(Abstract Issue):A2793
• Email:
  fl282@eohsi.rutgers.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Supplement:
  Abstract Issue
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:583f932f4c740b7181e0bb6503e2adec58c8ce27507a40f9867063afe42b0f52279945f4d12792bffe487481bcf05528f31aeb908a36e47ebd06fe68d7c78a60
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208497/cdc_208497_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 147.31 KB ]