This article answers the question: “Can A HEPA Filter Capture Coronavirus?”  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.    Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.

On A Side Note — How Safe Is Airplane Air?

Image Source: ShutterStock

HEPA Filters Have Purified Cabin-Air Large Jets (and most Regional Aircraft) Since The Late 1990s. 

Cabin-Air Is Recirculated & HEPA Filtered Every 2 — 4 Minutes. *5

-PLUS- 10% — 50% Of Fresh Air (from outside) Is Mixed With The Recirculated & HEPA Filtered Air.

Fresh-Air Ratio  Is Set By The Aircraft Maacturer (may differ by AirCraft manufacturer) — IS NOT Adjustable. *5

-AND- All Large Commercial Jets Exchange Cabin-Air (with outside air) Around 20 Times Each Hour.  *5

*5 Source: http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2020/How-HEPA-Filters-Have-Been-Purifying-Cabin-Air-Since-the-1990s-FLT-06/default.aspx

*6 Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143720/

*7 Source: https://askthepilot.com/questionanswers/cabin-air-quality/

Coronavirus Facts — In Simple Language

Coronavirus Infection Occurs By Touching, Or Inhaling Respiratory Droplets From An Infected Person.

Image Source: ShutterStock

Respiratory Droplets Are Produced Mostly During; Coughing, Sneezing, Speaking, and Exhaling (breathing out).

Respiratory Droplets are within a wide range of sizes.  They are divided into two groups — based on how long they can remain in the air: *

• Large Respiratory Droplets are larger than 5 microns.
• These droplets fall out of the air within seconds to minutes — and fall close (mostly within 6 feet) of the source.
• Most Covid infections occur during close contact (within 6 feet).

• Small Respiratory Droplets (often called: “aerosolized”) — are smaller than 5 microns (defined below ***).
• Smaller droplets can remain in the air for several minutes to hours.
• Smaller droplets quickly dry out in the air.  Once dry, they become: “particles”.
• Smaller droplets / particles can travel far from the source — if within air currents. 
• BUT — airborne transmission is not thought to be a major source of Covid infection.

* Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-sars-cov-2.html

• 1 micron = 1/1-millionth of 1 meter
• A meter = 39.3 inches.

*** Source: https://www.metric-conversions.org/length/microns-to-micrometers.htm

The Covid Virus Lives Within Respiratory Droplets

• Covid Virus particles are extremely small.
• BUT Viruses Can’t Live Without a Host. *4
• Covid’s host is a respiratory-droplet.
• This is why the size of respiratory-droplets is stressed (versus the size of the Coronavirus itself).

*4 Source: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-health-general-science/how-long-can-virus-live-outside-body

Infections From Respiratory-Viruses Are Mostly Transmitted Through These 3 Modes:

• Direct-Contact (touching)  Infection occurs during direct contact (touching) an infected person — OR — direct contact with a contaminated surface.

• Close Contact (with 6 feet) == And Inhaling Respiratory Droplets.
• Infection occurs while breathing in large Respiratory Droplets infected with the virus.
• This transmission is most likely within 6 feet.
• This Is Why: “Social Distancing” Is So Important.

After The Respiratory Droplets Are Expelled From The Body:

• The Droplets move outward — away from the source.
• Can a HEPA capture Coronavirus.
• Yes — IF the filter is within 6 feet of the expelled respiratory droplets AND If all droplets pass through the HAPA filter.

• Larger droplets fall (to surfaces & floor) in a short time (within seconds to a few minutes). *5
• They fall mostly within 6 feet of the source. *4

• Smaller droplets fall (to surfaces & floor) within many minutes to hours. *4
• They can travel far from the source (in excess of 6 feet). *4

• They quickly dry out in the air.
• Once dry, small droplets become: “particles”.

• Airborne transmission (of small droplets or particles) — is not thought to be a major source of Covid infection. *4

• The more air the Respiratory Droplets encounter — the more diluted they become. *4

• This Is Why Lots Of Ventilation Is So Important In Reducing Covid infections. *4

*5 Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-sars-cov-2.html#:~:text=Respiratory%20droplets%20are%20produced%20during,of%20air%20they%20encounter.

Can A HEPA Air Filter Capture Coronavirus? 

• The Question: Can A HEPA Filter Capture Coronavirus? 

• The Answer: Mostly — And Likely Captures A Large Percentage Of It. 
• In order for a HEPA Filter to capture Coronavirus — the airborne virus must move through the filter.
• For this reason, HEPA Filtration can’t guarantee you con’t become infected.  But, it will reduce the risk.

• The HEPA Filter Must Be Within 6 Feet Of The Infected Person.
• The airborne respiratory droplets must pass through the HEPA filter.
• We Explain Why Below (Hint: Same Reason As “Social Distancing”.)

• Portable HEPA Air Filters — We show you examples later in this article. 

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and Denton County, TX with no travel charges.  Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.

Click Here To Read About Additional Ways To Clean Indoor-Air: AlsPlumbing.com Additional Ways To Clean Indoor Air

NOTE:  The ways in the article (link is just above) won’t catch Coronavirus. 

HEPA Filter Ratings Are Based On How Many Particles — (sized 1/10th of 1 micron) Can Pass Through The Filter. *4

• HEPA-14 Filters: pass up to 0.005% (five 1000ths of 1%) — of particles sized .1 micron (1/10th of 1 micron) pass through the filter.

• HEPA-13 Filters: pass up to 0.05% (five 100ths of 1%) — of particles sized .1 micron pass through the filter.

• HEPA-12 Filters: pass more than 0.5% (five 10ths of 1%) — of particles sized .1 micron pass through the filter.

• HEPA-11 Filters: pass up to 5% — of particles sized .1 micron pass through the filter.

• HEPA-10 Filters: pass more than 5% of particles sized .1 micron pass through the filter.

*4 Source: https://www.airfiltersupplier.com/products/hepa-air-filter.html

Here Are Some Portable Air Purifiers With A HEPA-13 Filter.

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Medify MA-15 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA filter (HEPA-13 Filter Catches Coronavirus) — For Spaces Up To 200 Square Feet

Note: Can Also Purchase A Single Unit.  Available In Black Or White.

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Medify MA-25 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA filter (HEPA-13 Filter Catches Coronavirus) — For Spaces Up To 500 Sq. Ft

Note: Can Also Purchase A Single Unit.  Available In Black Or White.

Image Source: Amazon Embedded Link

Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Medify Air MA-112 V2.0 Air Purifier with H13 HEPA Filter (HEPA-13 Filter Catches Coronavirus)– For Spaces Up To 2,400 Sq. Ft.

NOTE: Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C does not endorse Medify, or any other brand of HEPA-13 Air Purifiers, only because we don’t have first-hand knowledge of all filters available.

NOTE: Other brands of H-13 Air Purifiers are likely available on Amazon as well.

This article answerd the question: “Can A HEPA Air Filter Capture Coronavirus?”   Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Richardson, TX; Garland, TX; and Wylie, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and Denton County, TX with no travel charges.  Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.