Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters of low-cost air purifiers in community-based organizations.

Autor: Clarke RD; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Garba NA; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Barbieri MA; Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Acuna L; Biochemistry PhD Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Baum M; Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Rodriguez MS; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Frias H; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Saldarriaga P; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Stefano T; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Mathee K; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA., Narasimhan G; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.; Bioinformatics Research Group (BioRG), Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences, Miami, FL, USA., R Brown D; Department of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA. drbrown@fiu.edu.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Environmental monitoring and assessment [Environ Monit Assess] 2023 Oct 14; Vol. 195 (11), pp. 1320. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 14.
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11950-y
Abstrakt: This study aims to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in public spaces and assess the utility of inexpensive air purifiers equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for viral detection. Samples were collected from six community-based organizations in underserved minority neighborhoods in Northwest Miami, Florida, from February to May 2022. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in air purifier filters and surface swabs. Among 32 filters tested, three yielded positive results, while no positive surface swabs were found. Notably, positive samples were obtained exclusively from child daycare centers. These findings highlight the potential for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor air, particularly in child daycare centers. Moreover, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of readily available HEPA filters in detecting the virus. Improving indoor ventilation and implementing air filtration systems are crucial in reducing COVID-19 transmission where people gather. Air filtration systems incorporating HEPA filters offer a valuable approach to virus detection and reducing transmission risks. Future research should explore the applicability of this technology for early identification and mitigation of viral outbreaks.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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