A member of ASHRAE’s epidemic task force has launched an initiative to set up independent, peer-reviewed testing of indoor air-treatment systems for their efficacy against viruses and for any negative impacts on indoor air quality. The campaign has already raised its goal of $25,000 to underwrite the tests.
While systems using filters that meet the HEPA MERV-13 rating are well studied, there are also “active-treatment” air-cleaning systems, some of which emit particles into the air to reduce impurities and pathogens, says Marwa Zataari, a consultant with a PhD in indoor air quality, who helped write the ASHRAE 62.1 IAQ standard.