{"id":18397,"date":"2021-08-19T11:20:10","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T03:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/?p=18397"},"modified":"2022-01-19T00:58:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T16:58:34","slug":"cdc-recommendations-reducing-covid-19-spread-indoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/cdc-recommendations-reducing-covid-19-spread-indoors\/","title":{"rendered":"The CDC&#8217;s Recommended Ways to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A whole range of technologies and solutions for COVID reduction in schools, offices, and homes have burst onto the market. But which ones work at reducing COVID-19 spread, and which ones don&#8217;t? The CDC has published a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/community\/ventilation.html\">detailed article<\/a> outlining their recommended ways to improve ventilation and reduce COVID exposure. In this article, we run through the most important points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CDC: Ways to Reduce COVID-19 Spread Indoors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Improve Ventilation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC&#8217;s top recommendation to reduce COVID-19 spread is to improve indoor ventilation. They suggest improving ventilation by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Adjusting HVAC systems to increase airflow to occupied spaces when possible.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/blog\/open-window-door-help-covid\/\">Opening windows and doors<\/a> to increase outdoor air flow (even a slightly open window can help ventilation).<\/li><li>Using indoor fans to increase the effectiveness of open windows.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"CDC recommends opening windows to reduce COVID-19 spread\" class=\"wp-image-18400\" width=\"798\" height=\"531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/open-window-1246191_1280.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><figcaption>Simply opening a window can significantly reduce viral concentrations indoors<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The great thing about these strategies is they are often free or low-cost and are very effective. A CDC study of schools in Georgia showed that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/cdc-study-hepa-air-purifiers-reduced-covid-19-virus-spread-schools\/\">simple strategies to improve ventilation lowered COVID-19 spread by 30%<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-1024x755.png\" alt=\"CDC studys shows improved ventilation reduced COVID-19 spread by 30%\" class=\"wp-image-18399\" width=\"770\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-1024x755.png 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-600x442.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-300x221.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-768x566.png 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548-1536x1132.png 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-2-e1629229092548.png 1700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Use Filtration Methods Such as Portable HEPA Air Purifiers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC also recommends mechanical filtration as a method of removing COVID from the air. This method works by using filters that are able to capture virus-sized particles and remove them from the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC provides two ways to filter the air in a building:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Using central air filtration.<\/strong> Filters rated MERV-13 and above are efficient at capturing airborne viruses. They can typically be installed in existing central air systems, as long as it does not <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/learn\/smart-air-knowledge-base\/can-i-install-hepa-filters-central-hvac-air-system\/\">over-work the system&#8217;s fans<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-600x337.jpeg\" alt=\"MERV-13 filters for HVAC system to filter out COVID-19\" class=\"wp-image-18401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-600x337.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/merv-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>MERV-13 being installed in an HVAC system<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Using portable HEPA air filters.<\/strong> HEPA filters ado a great job at filtering out viruses, capturing over <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/blog\/can-air-purifiers-remove-filter-out-covid-delta-variant\/\">99.9% of COVID-19 sized particles<\/a>. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Portable HEPA filtration units that combine a HEPA filter with a powered fan system are a preferred option for auxiliary air cleaning, especially in higher risk settings such as health clinics, vaccination and medical testing locations, workout rooms, or public waiting areas.<\/p><cite>Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on HEPA filters for COVID-19 mitigation<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/schools-600x400.jpeg\" alt=\"Smart Air Sqair air purifier used for clean air filtration in school classroom\" class=\"wp-image-18472\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the same Georgia school study mentioned above, the CDC found that <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/cdc-study-hepa-air-purifiers-reduced-covid-19-virus-spread-schools\/\"><strong>HEPA filter air purifiers in the classroom lowered infection rates by 41%<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> That&#8217;s even better than the 29% by ventilation alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-1-e1629343671868-1024x794.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18362\" width=\"828\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-1-e1629343671868-600x465.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-1-e1629343671868-300x233.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/HEPAfilterinfectionrate-1-e1629343671868-768x595.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When choosing a HEPA air purifier, the CDC states it&#8217;s important to select a purifier that is appropriately sized for the area it will be installed in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/what-is-air-changes-per-hour-ach-how-to-calculate\/\">Read More: How to Calculate if a Purifier Is Strong Enough for an Area<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) UV Light \u2013 Only When Other Options Are Limited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC recommends using UV light only as a last, supplemental solution &#8220;when options for increasing room ventilation and filtration are limited.&#8221; There are two types of UV Light solutions available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) &#8211; either in air ducts or in upper rooms<\/li><li>Far-UV (or Far-UVC) &#8211; an emerging technology that is currently heavily marketed.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC does not recommend UV light as a primary solution to COVID protection because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>UVGI is more costly to install and maintain, and may cause <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/community\/ventilation\/UVGI.html\">temporary eye or skin damage<\/a> as well as damage to plants.<\/li><li>Questions remain about Far-UV&#8217;s overall safety and its mechanisms for killing organisms. As an emerging technology, there is also little peer-reviewed data to show how well it works, unlike for example HEPA filters.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/uvgi.jpeg\" alt=\"UVGI UV light for COVID-19 protection\" class=\"wp-image-18403\" width=\"523\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/uvgi.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/uvgi-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 523px) 100vw, 523px\" \/><figcaption>UVGI for HVAC systems<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Ozone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ASHRAE notes that because ozone is dangerous to humans \u2013 and plants and all living animals \u2013 it should only be used to disinfect unoccupied spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many companies claim to limit their ozone levels to within the &#8216;safe&#8217; limits. However, the EPA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/indoor-air-quality-iaq\/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners\">points out<\/a> that&nbsp;at these lower levels, ozone &#8220;does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator-1024x873.jpg\" alt=\"CDC does not recommend ozone for COVID-19 protection indoors\" class=\"wp-image-18405\" width=\"545\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator-1024x873.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator-600x512.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator-300x256.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator-768x655.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/ozonegenerator.jpg 1324w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px\" \/><figcaption>Ozone generator on Amazon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Bi-polar Ionization &amp; Other Emerging Technologies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashrae.org\/technical-resources\/filtration-disinfection#cdcposition\">takes a cautious stance<\/a> regarding &#8220;emerging technologies&#8221; that include the use of ionization, dry hydrogen peroxide, and chemical fogging disinfection. The CDC notes &#8220;relative to other air cleaning or disinfection methods, they have a less-documented track record when it comes to cleaning\/disinfecting large and fast volumes of moving air within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or even inside individual rooms.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Convincing scientifically-rigorous, peer-reviewed studies do not currently exist on these emerging technologies; manufacturer data should be carefully considered.<\/p><cite>ASHRAE on bipolar ionization and other emerging technologies<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir-1024x536.jpeg\" alt=\"CDC is cautious regarding emerging technologies such as bipolar ionizations for COVID-19 protection indoors\" class=\"wp-image-18432\" width=\"744\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir-1024x536.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir-600x314.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir-300x157.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir-768x402.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PlasmaAir.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><figcaption>Plasma Air 600 Bipolar Ionizer<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The CDC encourages consumers to exercise caution with these emerging technologies and the claims they make. They also mention that when considering technologies that can expose building occupants, the &#8220;safety data should be applicable to all occupants, including those with health conditions that could be aggravated by the air treatment.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For further information on the CDC&#8217;s recommendations for COVID mitigation indoors, <a href=\"http:\/\/Read More on the CDC's Recommendations for COVID Mitigation Indoors\">check out the CDC&#8217;s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class='bottom-line'><div class='bottom-line-top'>Bottom Line<\/div><div class='bottom-line-title'>Bottom Line: CDC Recommended Ways of Reducing COVID Spread Indoors<\/div><div class='bottom-line-content'>\nThe two primary recommendations the CDC makes on making indoor spaces more COVID safe include: dilution (improving ventilation) and mechanical filtration (MERV-13+ filters in HVAC and portable HEPA purifiers). <\/p>\n<p>UV lights can be used if these two options are unavailable, otherwise UV lights serve little benefit. The use of ozone is not recommended as any effective dose will exceed health guidelines and be dangerous to humans. Finally, the CDC takes a cautious stance on &#8220;emerging technologies&#8221; such as ionization due to its lack of track record in cleaning\/disinfecting large volumes of air and lack of scientifically-rigorous studies. <\/p>\n<p><\/div><div class='bottom-line-last'>Smart Air<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A whole range of technologies and solutions for COVID reduction in schools, offices, and homes have burst onto the market. But which ones work at reducing COVID-19 spread, and which ones don&#8217;t? The CDC has published a detailed article outlining their recommended ways to improve ventilation and reduce COVID exposure. &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"The CDC&#8217;s Recommended Ways to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/cdc-recommendations-reducing-covid-19-spread-indoors\/#more-18397\" aria-label=\"Read more about The CDC&#8217;s Recommended Ways to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9087,"featured_media":18435,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"17188,18739,11684,18283,12577,11263","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,469,264,796],"tags":[761,678,487,501,762,231,474,559],"class_list":["post-18397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-pollution","category-coronavirus","category-indoor-air","category-schools","tag-cdc","tag-covid","tag-covid-19","tag-filtration","tag-ionizers","tag-ozone","tag-uv-light","tag-ventilation","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9087"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18397"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20667,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18397\/revisions\/20667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}