I am compiling a list of measures that could provide comprehensive protection against airborne and droplet pathogens (particularly coronavirus), pollen, and/or air pollution. So far, I have listed the following:
Protective nasal and throat sprays with carrageenan;
Disposable masks or respirators (N95 or better);
Saline sinus rinse kit (used after the major exposure/twice a week);
Portable 222 nm UV lamps;
Stationary HEPA air purifiers;
Portable air purifiers with laminar flow (e.g. AirFanta);
Proper ventilation + CO2 and air quality monitors;
HOCl for hand and surface disinfection;
Ozone for the outdoor disinfection of fresh produce;
Oven reheating for reheatable dishes;
Pluslife diagnostic testing.
What kind of measures am I missing? I am particularly curious about the convenient/wearable options that could further reduce the risk:
a) for those who are willing to use the nasal/throat spray but have strong objections against wearing a mask when moving indoors (shopping, events, etc);
b) in situations when wearing a mask is indeed impossible or very impractical (sauna, indoor pool, strenuous indoor exercise, restaurants).
In terms of a) and some examples of b), I was considering the negative ion generators. On one hand, most (if not all of them) seem very unlikely to work (Personal Portable Air Purifier Necklaces: Do They Work? ā Smart Air), on the other hand, AirTamer cites some studies supposed to demonstrate the effectiveness and zero ozone emission in their models compared to the competition (Airtamer- Frequently Asked Question) - but this may feel like a stretch. AFAIK, no decent RCTs demonstrating actual reduction in infection frequency were conducted, and Iād be a bit concerned about having such a wearable close to the heart. There are some anecdotal reports of people using (other, stationary) negative ion generators and reporting heart palpitations.
Similarly, Iāve been thinking about Respiray, but they have not responded to my questions, and another person whose expertise I trust informed me that āthere isnāt much evidence that near-field HEPA mitigation works, whenever I hear ābubble of protectionā itās almost always marketing rather than science, and it reminds having a no-peeing section of the swimming pool - air just doesnāt work like that. It can, at best, dilute the air in front of the wearer and maybe somewhat lower the viral load, but it would never provide more protection than a surgical mask and certainly never be equivalent to an N95, or even a KN95.ā
Great idea! So far, the list is already looking pretty extensive, but, personally, I would split the list into two sections.
Protective measures
Monitoring & Awareness Tools
The first is obviously the actual protective measures you can take, and the second are devices (like carbon dioxide monitors) that donāt provide any protection themselves, but they can guide informed decisions regarding protection.
One technology that was quite ātrendyā a few years ago, but that seems to have lost a lot of interest, is textile treatment. One that comes to mind is Polygiene ViralOff, which some masks used to come coated in. Polygiene is not the only company making these coatings, and I do see them on clothes in stores occasionally. Basically, manufactures can coat their clothes in these materials and they will lead to a significant reduction in viral particles over a couple of hours. Since weāre discussing every protective measure an individual can take, this might be worth considering, especially if you can find gloves with such a coating.
Iām also very cautious around these types of devices and I was actually asked to review such devices a few times. However, I always rejected the offers as they donāt have much (or any) research behind them and I donāt have the equipment to test if they do actually work.
I think the closest thing to a personal portable air purifier necklace that actually works is the handheld fan device from AirFanta.
I will think more on this and add more as things come to mind!
Thank you, Ethan. Given that most infections I want to avoid are primarily airborne/transmitted via droplets, Polygiene may not be of much help, plus I use HOCl for disinfection.
Having explored numerous individual measures, Iām afraid thereās no way to abandon wearing N95/P100 masks while shopping.
