A leading environmental mycologist, Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, has called for more action to mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Dr Neumeister-Kemp said heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are one of the major pathways to spread contaminants.
“Air passes through air conditioning systems and over time particles and unwanted contaminants accumulate in the system and the only thing that protects us is filters,” he said.
“As people go back to work to buildings via buses and trains, there will be an increase in particulates such as dust and other contaminants circulating through the filtration systems.
“Treating and cleaning filters will ensure that the air that goes through HVAC systems and that we breathe, stays clean.”
Aeris Environmental is an Australian company whose patented air filter treatment technology is now being used around the world to curb the spread of COVID-19 in indoor settings, including public transport.
The filter treatment coats deep bed HVAC filters with an antimicrobial coating. The treatment contains a safe, readily biodegradable active biocide that kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria and enveloped viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
The company’s technical director, Steven Kritzler, said the Aeris air filter treatment is sprayed onto deep bed HVAC filters.
“This helps prevent microbial pathogens from passing through the system and spreading to other areas of the building or indoor space,” Kritzler said.
“The best solution of all is to install HEPA filters with treated deep bed filters being used as a prefilter.
“The Aeris filter treatment can be applied now to most existing deep bed HVAC filters in commercial buildings, schools, retail centres and various indoor venues.”