Wishful thinking filter: Do any small air purifiers zap viruses?
December 14, 2019 2:59 PM Subscribe
I work in a cube in a large corporate office building. Whenever anyone gets sick, it seems like half the team is taken down with them, even though we're encouraged to take sick leave and work from home. I know it's probably wishful thinking, but are there any desktop air purifiers that would reduce my chances of getting sick?
I also have plenty of room under the desk, but I assume that placement would be a little less effective.
I've read the Wirecutter reviews of air purifiers; I know to avoid the Molekule and have the smaller Coway at home, but I assume it would be too intense for the office and would be cycling nearly constantly.
I also have plenty of room under the desk, but I assume that placement would be a little less effective.
I've read the Wirecutter reviews of air purifiers; I know to avoid the Molekule and have the smaller Coway at home, but I assume it would be too intense for the office and would be cycling nearly constantly.
Turns out viruses are a pretty tough row to hoe for air purifiers.
posted by jamjam at 4:35 PM on December 14, 2019
posted by jamjam at 4:35 PM on December 14, 2019
I read an article recently, can't remember where, that said dry air was a factor in virus transmission, so consider plants and even a humidifier.
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on December 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 5:45 PM on December 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hand washing? Frequent cleaning of door handles, cabinet handles, phones, anything frequently touched?
posted by amtho at 5:56 PM on December 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by amtho at 5:56 PM on December 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
One thing that you can do, and that may help you: use saline spray to keep the inside of your nose from drying out. In some offices, the air is too dry, and the mucous membranes inside your nose need to be kept moist so they can do their job: protecting you from getting sick from air-born viruses.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:50 AM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:50 AM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
The various suggested steps for preventing norovirus transmission will probably be more effective than a portable air filter. The most obvious of these are hand washing, avoiding use of shared towels or wash cloths, trying to keep unwashed hands away from your face, regularly cleaning your desk with bleach wipes or spray. If you have any shared canteen space - then you want to be particularly confident that whoever is preparing your food is being meticulous about these steps.
posted by rongorongo at 5:14 AM on December 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by rongorongo at 5:14 AM on December 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
I did research into reducing virus transmissions because I was similarly experiencing a widespread pattern of illness in my office. Based on my research I learned that individual or even home filters are not a real solution for a larger office. However, there are a few steps that can be taken that are more effective and efficient.
First, make sure the existing HVAC system is doing its part to properly filter and circulate the air, because that will help. This means making sure the HVAC system is working as intended and the system is cleaned/filters are swapped on schedule. You likely don't have much individual control over the HVAC system in your office, but perhaps you can check in with the operations department or and inquire that the HVAC is being regularly maintained?
Secondly, as mentioned above, the best thing you can do is be vigilant about washing your face and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with your hands. For example, on addition to washing after using the bathroom and before meals, I also make a point of washing my hands after touching someone's else's keyboard or mouse. I also would regularly wipe down my own keyboard and mouse when they started to feel greasy.
Research shows that wearing a face mask when around sick people is helpful primarily to prevent you from touching your mouth or nose on accident. Having an infected individual wear a mask is also not very effective, except in that it communicates to others that the mask wearer has an illness.
Honestly, besides being good about handwashing, I found the most effective approach to reducing catching an illness from co-workers is to reduce my stress levelss. I can't remember if it is a direct or an indirect cause, but stress has been shown to temporarily weakens one's immune system.
My workplace had notoriously high stress levels and it was apparent how individuals would get sick and go down together in waves. And the workplace culture was bad about encouraging sick individuals to stay home, and if they did stay home they felt pressure to work when they should have been resting. You can see about bringing this up with relevant managerial figures in your workplace. If they are competent, they will care how illness affects workplace productivity.
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 3:12 PM on December 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
First, make sure the existing HVAC system is doing its part to properly filter and circulate the air, because that will help. This means making sure the HVAC system is working as intended and the system is cleaned/filters are swapped on schedule. You likely don't have much individual control over the HVAC system in your office, but perhaps you can check in with the operations department or and inquire that the HVAC is being regularly maintained?
Secondly, as mentioned above, the best thing you can do is be vigilant about washing your face and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with your hands. For example, on addition to washing after using the bathroom and before meals, I also make a point of washing my hands after touching someone's else's keyboard or mouse. I also would regularly wipe down my own keyboard and mouse when they started to feel greasy.
Research shows that wearing a face mask when around sick people is helpful primarily to prevent you from touching your mouth or nose on accident. Having an infected individual wear a mask is also not very effective, except in that it communicates to others that the mask wearer has an illness.
Honestly, besides being good about handwashing, I found the most effective approach to reducing catching an illness from co-workers is to reduce my stress levelss. I can't remember if it is a direct or an indirect cause, but stress has been shown to temporarily weakens one's immune system.
My workplace had notoriously high stress levels and it was apparent how individuals would get sick and go down together in waves. And the workplace culture was bad about encouraging sick individuals to stay home, and if they did stay home they felt pressure to work when they should have been resting. You can see about bringing this up with relevant managerial figures in your workplace. If they are competent, they will care how illness affects workplace productivity.
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 3:12 PM on December 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by permiechickie at 4:03 PM on December 14, 2019