FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment of the Kingdom of Belgium

04/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2024 03:12

Air purifiers guaranteed to be effective

You can't see them, but a large number of tiny particles float in the air you breathe. They are micro-organisms, fine particles or even chemical substances responsible for certain odours. Among the smallest of these particles are viruses. Airborne viruses, which can transmit diseases such as influenza, or COVID-19.

To remove these particles from the air and limit the risk of contamination, a simple solution is to ventilate your room as much as possible. But it is also possible, in addition to this or when sufficient ventilation is not possible, to purify the air in the room.

There are a large number of air purifiers on the market. They use different purification techniques to eliminate different types of pollutants, with varying levels of effectiveness. An air purifier cannot guarantee to eliminate 100% of the particles present in the air.
However, some devices are so effective that they can eliminate or inactivate over 99.995% of viruses in the air!

Unfortunately, some purification techniques release other compounds during the process, which are not always harmless. It is therefore important to ensure that in trying to eliminate one pollutant, the system does not produce others. Some systems draw air from the room, treat it and then disperse the purified air around the room. If their efficiency is too low, they can spread the viruses that have not been eliminated even further. The safety of these systems, i.e. the fact that their use is not itself harmful to health, is paramount.

That's why the FPS is setting up a process to recognise air purification systems that claim to be effective against viruses!

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From now on, manufacturers and importers wishing to promote the high efficacy of their systems against aerosol viruses will have to use a label provided by the FPS Public Health. To obtain this label, they will have to submit evidence of the effectiveness and safety of their device, which will be analysed by experts.

How do I know if an air purification system is recognised by the FPS?

  • A recognition label will be visible on the packaging of the appliance and on the online sales site.
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  • A list of all recognised air purification systems will be published on the FPS Public Health website.
  • A practical guide will help you choose an air purification system that suits your needs. It will guide you according to the level of indoor air quality you wish to achieve, the volume and occupancy of your room, and the specific pollutants found in it.

These tools will be available by summer 2024.

Is it forbidden to buy air purification systems that are not on the list?

No, this is a guarantee and not an obligation. However, if you're specifically looking for a system to combat viral diseases, we recommend that you choose one with a label. This will give you a guarantee that the manufacturer's claims have been verified.

Are you a manufacturer or importer of air purifiers?

Not all air purification systems are affected. Only systems with an efficiency against aerosol viruses equivalent to that of class E12 (99,95%), H13 (99,95%) filters, or higher, are concerned (excluding systems for medical use).

In addition to the well-known techniques, such as (H)EPA filters, electrostatic precipitators and the use of UV-C rays (240-280 nm), systems using certain techniques must first obtain a waiver before they can be placed on the market and claim to be recognised by the FPS.