Because viruses are so small, some less than .03 microns, most air purifiers cannot capture them effectively, although most claim to in their promotional material. Air purification systems that use a combination of HEPA filters, ultraviolet lights and electrostatic filters may achieve the best results since none alone can guarantee consistent removal and eradication of viruses from the air stream. EPA studies have found that the effectiveness of hybrid units can be limited if airflow is not properly configured which can cause increased air resistance that could allow the air to bypass the cleaning mechanisms. Correct placement of portable residential air cleaners is also considered crucial to capturing airborne viruses. HEPA filters have been used in biomedical applications since the 1940s to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria and viral organisms. Specific requirements for different types of HEPA classifications range from cleanroom quality to true HEPA filters to HEPA-like filters.

True HEPA filters are available for the residential market and they are regulated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to be 99.997% efficient, allowing no more than 3 particles in 10,000 to penetrate the filter. clean mold off air ventsEven the best HEPA filter will not kill viruses, however, and can lose its effectiveness at trapping viruses as the particulate matter builds up and causes more resistance to the airflow.whole house air purifier for allergies Air purifier manufacturer IQ Air has claimed to develop a HyperHEPA (IQ Air's trademarked name for this technology) filter capable of removing particles down to .003 microns in size with 99.5% efficiency.  exhaust fan air purifierThis is 100 times more effective than sta  IQ Air backs up its claims by measuring each shipped air purifier with a laser particle counter. 

Conceivably, these IQ Air models could be the most effective units on the market in filtering viruses.  Even though these purifiers are used in some hospitals and clean rooms, according to the EPA there is no standardized test available to measure the effectiveness of virus filtration. Health care professionals use ultraviolet lights to neutralize airborne microorganisms like germs, bacteria or viruses, although some mold and bacteria spores are resistant to UV radiation. For residential applications, however, the EPA warns that there is no standard to measure the effectiveness of UV cleaners and portable units and they probably have a limited effectiveness in combating viruses. For UV lights to be most effective they need to be exposed to the air flow longer than most residential units allow. Therefore, the most effective air purifier designs direct the UV lamp onto the HEPA filter so the particles trapped by the filter are treated by the UV lamp for a sufficient period of time to destroy the viruses.

This method of air purification uses opposing charges to cause particulates to stick together and fall out of the air and land on a collection plate. Filters capture very fine particulates, including viruses, but it does not kill them. According to EPA studies, efficiency declines rapidly as the collection plates become covered with debris and must be changed often if they are the sole air purification method. When combined with a HEPA filter and UV lamps, however, electrostatic units maintain their effectiveness much longer. PCO cleaners uses hydroxyl radicals to remove gaseous pollutants but does not remove particulates. The EPA cautions that PCO cleaners' effectiveness in residential settings is limited, and testing has produced inconclusive evidence of their effectiveness against volatile organic compounds (VOC). In fact, some PCO devices were found to produce new indoor air pollutants while failing to destroy existing pollutants. According to the EPA, ozone generators can be a threat to public health despite claims they neutralize odors and irritants in the air.

Although studies have proven that ozone removes certain biological contaminants from the air, data suggest that the resulting concentration of ozone would exceed acceptable standards, up to 5 to 10 times higher than recommended. Air purifiers that emit small amounts of ozone -- .01 to .02 or less -- are safe and do assist in removing viruses from the air stream. How do I find out more about the NASA Airocide Technology connection? What type of allergens can your air purifiers remove from the air? Does the Airocide emit ozone? How is Airocide different from other air purifiers? What size area does the unit handle? What kind of maintenance is required? How can I register my Airocide air purifier? How can I check my order status? Do you ship outside of the US? What methods of payment do you accept? What is the return policy? What is a Risk Free Trial Offer? Do you offer refurbished units? The unit emitted a smell when I initially turned it on.

How long does this last? What is the procedure for disposal of the Reaction Chambers? What does the ‘auto’ button do? Will Airocide remove dog hair? How many fans does the Airocide have? How much noise does the Airocide emit? What’s the recommended placement of the Airocide for optimum results? Where can I find the serial number on the Airocide to register it? Do you offer discounts for multiple units? Does the grill require any special care/cleaning? Visit the www.NASA.gov website or click on one of these links for more info. Earth Benefits from NASA Technologies Spinoff Day on the Hill 2010 You can also go to www.spinoff.nasa.gov or click on one of these links to learn more. Air Purifiers Eliminate Pathogens What type of allergens can your air purifier remove from the air? Our patented bioconversion process grabs fungi, mold, viruses, bacteria and more and disassembles them at their molecular level.

Airocide also clears the air of virtually 100% of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – the harmful gases emitted by products like aerosol sprays, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, building materials, paints and paint thinner, strippers, pesticides and even air fresheners. Airocide is so scientifically advanced it doesn’t use filters. Airocide draws in harmful airborne pathogens and forces them into a densely packed matrix of highly reactive catalysts that are activated by a high intensity 254-nanometer light. The reaction destroys these harmful pathogens on contact. Nothing is captured so there is nothing to clean. All that exits is crisp, clear air, with zero ozone emissions. Airocide is intended for single room use and can handle any size room in your home. The only maintenance needed is to replace the Reaction Chambers. The unit will prompt you with an indicator light when it is time to change (about once a year). The Reaction Chamber Replacement Kit can be ordered at here.

Yes, the Airocide Air Purifier features a five-year limited warranty. Any claims should be submitted in writing by mail or through the Internet: 13500 Sutton Park Dr. South You can easily check your order status here. We currently offer shipping to all 50 U.S. States (Note: additional s/p will apply to Alaska and Hawaii). Shipping to Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam is unavailable at this time. We accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Checks and Money Orders are unavailable at this time. The Airocide Air Purifier is backed by a 60-Day Money Back Guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return the product within 60 days—we’ll even pay the return shipping. Your purchase of the Airocide Air Purifier is a 60-day risk free trial. Try Airocide in your home with free shipping for 60 days. If you’re not completely satisfied, return it for a full refund. We’ll even pay the return shipping! We do offer refurbished units from time to time.

The best way to find out about any special offers is to sign up for our newsletter. For the first few days you might notice a smell from your unit, this is normal and caused by the UVC lamps heating up for the first time. It will dissipate in a few days. When you receive your Reaction Chamber Replacement Kit, we will also include a return-shipping label at no charge. Please send us your used Reaction Chambers and we will take care of recycling them for you. The Automatic setting programs the unit to run on high at most times and then transitions to low for a slower, quieter speed. While most people find the fan sound helps them sleep better at night, the Automatic setting offers the option of a quieter setting at night. A light sensor is built within the unit, so as the room darkens then unit adjusts to low and when enough light is present in the room, it adjusts to high. Airocide does not remove any type of hair from the environment, but it does remove the pet dander, which is the main cause of allergies to pets.

Airocide has one internal fan. Using Coanda-effect aerodynamics, air is drawn in through the front vent, accelerated through two catalytic reaction chambers and then amplified across a fine lip at the back center of the void. This ‘throws’ air further into the room while using the least amount of power. This is subjective, depending on if you are a heavy sleeper or a light sleeper, but generally most people find the noise to be on the same level as a fan on low speed. Many people enjoy the white noise and have mentioned it helps them sleep. We recommend Airocide be placed in your bedroom, where you spend the most time. For optimal results, the unit should be placed four to six off of the floor. Place Airocide so it is exposed to air circulation. This means the top, front and two of the side panels needs to be exposed for proper airflow. Do not place Airocide in an enclosed space like a bookshelf, butted up against a bookshelf or directly next to any piece of furniture.