Angela

I've seen the Sunbeam portable #HEPAfilter recommended by a few of my social media mates, went by the nearby #Briscoes to look for it, and it was fresh out. Asked a worker there if it was in stock anywhere else, she checked and it's sold out across the whole #canterbury region.

Looks like consumers are catching on that #COVIDIsAirborne and we should #CleanTheAir. Now if only more workplaces and governments got with the program. Because it's a #publichealth issue, not #personalresponsibility 😒

Apr 6, 2023 at 3:12amWeb
Show threadClean Air StarsApr 6, 2023
@seawall How effective personal air purification will be is complicated and these particular devices deliver a very low airflow rate (the manufacturer doesn't even say what it is). If you think its reducing risk when it isn't and you change your behaviour accordingly (extend your exposure time in high risk situations) these can inadvertently do more harm than good. If you can find out what their airflow is please pass it on.
Show threadAngelaApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars will do. I'm already a bit side-eye about it containing UV light in addition to HEPA as I've been informed by engineers that the speed of the air moving through the filter tends to go too fast for the UV to zap any viruses zipping through. But at least it has HEPA? 🤷‍♂️
Show threadClean Air StarsApr 6, 2023
@seawall Correct, the UV will add negligible/no value on top of a HEPA while introducing energy costs and reducing battery life. What ultimately matters is the amount of airflow which, for this device, is not easy to find.
Show threadAngelaApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars 🤔 I wonder how hard it would be to hack and disconnect the UV light...
Show threadClean Air StarsApr 6, 2023
@seawall if it had a high airflow it may be worth it, but until you know what the airflow is and how helpful it is likely to be then it would most likely be a waste of time.
Show threadAngelaApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars is there any way a layperson could test the airflow?
Show threadClean Air StarsApr 6, 2023
@seawall not for that particular device unfortunately. The manufacturer should really publish that information
Show threadAngelaApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars I recognise it remains a very "Buy taller gumboots to wade through the sewage in the streets while begging public works to actually fix the leaking pipes" half-arsed solution
Show threadAngelaApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars there don't seem to be many in the way of portable HEPA filters on the NZ market. The only other one I've found is this one, which I hesitated on because of the "negative ions" mentioned in the ad copy. That's another one my engineer mates warned me about, as either useless or possibly harmful. https://ortorex.nz/p/portable-ionic-hepa-air-purifier-for-allergies/
Portable Ionic Hepa Air Purifier for Allergies

Breathe clean and healthy air wherever you go!The Ortorex Portable Purifier refreshes stale air and improves its quality in your environment. It eliminates such indoor air pollutants as dust, pet dander, mold spores, odors, and other irritations. Having a 99.99% formaldehyde and bacteria removal rate, our device benefits overall well-being. Moreover, with the leather belt,

Show threadZeborahApr 6, 2023
@cleanairstars @seawall I use one on a "better than nothing" basis because I have to be on the bus regardless and even if it's not helping (it's certainly not designed for something as big as a bus or with as many people - but maaaaybe it *slightly* reduces the percentage of viruses right in front of my masked faceholes....) at least it can't be hurting. On a hot day the fan can be pleasant too. :-)
Show threadClean Air StarsApr 6, 2023
@zeborah @seawall question is whether the money is better spent on for testing and high quality respirators if that hasn’t been done yet. Would also be good to know what the flow rate is.
Show threadCrafty Gardener NZApr 6, 2023
@seawall Noel Leeming stocks them.