The impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus: A systematic review of filtration
Abstract
Historically, viruses have demonstrated airborne transmission. Emerging evidence suggests the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 also spreads by airborne transmission. This is more likely in indoor environments, particularly with poor ventilation. In the context of airborne transmission, a vital mitigation strategy for the built environment is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC features could modify virus transmission potential. A systematic review was conducted to identify and synthesize research examining the effectiveness of filters within HVAC systems in reducing virus transmission. A comprehensive search of OVID MEDLINE, Compendex, and Web of Science Core was conducted to January 2021. Two authors were involved in study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments. Study characteristics and results were displayed in evidence tables and findings were synthesized narratively. Twenty-three relevant studies showed that: filtration was associated with decreased transmission; filters removed viruses from the air; increasing filter efficiency (efficiency of particle removal) was associated with decreased transmission, decreased infection risk, and increased viral filtration efficiency (efficiency of virus removal); increasing filter efficiency above MERV 13 was associated with limited benefit in further reduction of virus concentration and infection risk; and filters with the same efficiency rating from different…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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