The spread of coronavirus infection triggered a global pandemic that continues unabated, threatening health and social life worldwide. The rapid spread of the disease is mainly due to two main factors: virus carriers, often asymptomatic, spreading the virus in the environment they are exposed to, and the virus itself – highly viable and surviving in a wide range of environmental conditions. Although human transmission has long been known, scientists have confirmed that COVID-19 is particularly efficient in spreading in indoor air. With the return to normal routines in work environments, schools, sports centres and other gathering places, the number of cases is likely to increase. In such places, the virus circulates easily through central air conditioning systems.

 

New air filtration needs are changing air conditioning filters

Traditional air-conditioning filters, which use fibreglass or aluminium mesh, only filter out larger particles such as lint and dust. Even a high-efficiency particulate air filter cannot trap viruses, more so, kill them. Viruses pass through these filters and circulate with the air indoors. Worse still, if the virus settles on the surface of the filter, it is blown through the filter into the room with a new gust of air. This vicious cycle can go on for up to several days, as long as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is viable in the indoor air.

Air conditioning and heating specialists have been working hard to find a solution to stop the spread of the virus indoors ever since the coronavirus outbreak. A year and a half after the start of the pandemic, there is a solution for air conditioning systems. No additional air purification equipment is now needed to kill viruses in indoor air. The Silver Nano+ air conditioning filter developed by the Baltic Filter, UAB team for NØRDIS was tested at the Valencia Institute of Microbiology at the beginning of this year. After the tests into NØRDIS air conditioning systems was launched.

 

The use of air conditioning can stop the spread of viruses

Recently, silver’s positive property of being able to kill a wide range of even highly resistant bacteria and viruses has been increasingly mentioned. It has been scientifically proven that most viruses or any microbial species, including SARS-CoV-2, have low resistance to nano silver (AgNPs), so even chlorine-resistant micro-organisms can be impacted. Silver Nano+ is a multi-functional filter consisting of four layers, each having a different function. The second layer of the filter is coated with nano silver. Due to the slow diffusion of silver ions, this part of the filter not only traps but also kills viruses. This air filtration solution is unique in the global air conditioning market. The filter, tested in a laboratory environment, has already been put into use by Lithuanian users.

 

The aim is to return to a pre-pandemic routine

Many organisations have been working together in recent years to find the simplest possible measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The strong increase in demand for air conditioners during the warm season has dictated a coronavirus prevention solution that can be used by any household. In a joint project between NØRDIS and Baltic Filter, UAB, the first batch of filters from NØRDIS will gradually be installed in NØRDIS air conditioning systems. The Silver Nano+ filter will then be offered as a separate component of the air conditioning system to all air conditioner owners.

The goal of the manufacturers of the Silver Nano+ filter is to maintain a clean personal indoor air space. This is by reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection at home and at work, contributing to a safe indoor environment for the public to work, learn and socialise.

The deployment of Silver Nano+ filters in air conditioners can have a significant impact on the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing the risk of the virus spreading. This air purification principle based on silver nano-particles is expected to help the general public to fight not only the coronavirus, but also future cases of the flu, pandemics and a variety of other pathogens.