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No evidence that says air purifier protects vs COVID-19 --- expert

Philippines | National

No evidence that says air purifier protects vs COVID-19 --- expert

By Gabriela Baron

Citing lack of evidence that shows that necklace air purifiers can prevent coronavirus transmission, an expert does not recommend the use of it as an added means of protection.

Bus drivers and conductors from different bus companies plying Cebu Province operating in South Bus Terminal in Cebu City are now using air purifiers after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered mandatory use of air purifiers that started Aug. 16, 2021. (JUAN CARLO DE VELA / MANILA BULLETIN)

In an interview with TeleRadyo on Tuesday, Aug. 17, Dr. Nina Gloriani, head of the country's vaccine expert panel said no evidence yet that necklace air purifier filter particles such as coronavirus.

"If you will look at the results of their study, you will see that it's not that verified either," Gloriani said in Filipino.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier issued a memorandum requiring public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors "to wear personal air purifiers at all times during their trip."

However, it was later postponed "to give operators more time to secure air purifiers."

"To require it for our jeepney drivers, it's a bit expensive and we haven't actually determined its effectiveness yet," she added.

Gloriani also deemed the air purifiers impractical for PUV drivers, since they would need to charge it every eight to 10 hours.

"It's cumbersome, not easy to use, and we do not know exactly how it helps," the expert added.

"Maybe the danger is complacency. They would think that they already have protection. This wouldn't last forever and it's expensive."

On Monday, the Department of Health stressed that necklace air purifiers could be more harmful than helpful as it "might lead to complacency or false security."

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covid-19 air purifier

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