Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37837468›Full record

ArticleEnvironmental monitoring and assessment2023

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters of low-cost air purifiers in community-based organizations.

Rachel D Clarke, Nana Aisha Garba, Manuel A Barbieri, Leonardo Acuna, Marianna Baum, Maribel Saad Rodriguez, Hansel Frias, Paulina Saldarriaga, Troy Stefano, Kalai Mathee and 2 more

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Environmental monitoring and assessment, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
1.8field-weighted citation impact, top 14% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on air purifier filters in university spaces without symptomatic or confirmed cases.Aerosol science and technology : the journal of the American Association for Aerosol Research · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.

Rachel D ClarkeDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9606-2510
Nana Aisha GarbaDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1567-0392
Manuel A BarbieriDepartment of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Leonardo AcunaBiochemistry PhD Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Marianna BaumDepartment of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6577-685X
Maribel Saad RodriguezDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Hansel FriasDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Paulina SaldarriagaDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Troy StefanoDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6972-5873
Kalai MatheeDepartment of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4569-5419
Giri NarasimhanBiomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0535-4871
David R BrownDepartment of Humanities Health, and Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA. drbrown@fiu.edu.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5361-6664
Florida International University · US

Funding

Community-Engaged Research on COVID-19 Testing Among Underserved and/or Vulnerable PopulationsU01DA040381 · NIDA · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · PI BAUM, MARIANNA K · 2015 to 2022
$9.6M
Community-Engaged Research on COVID-19 Testing Among Underserved and/or Vulnerable Populations Phase IIU01MD017423 · NIMHD · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · PI BAUM, MARIANNA K · 2022 to 2023
$2.2M
NIDA NIH HHS U01 DA040381NIMHD NIH HHS U01 MD017423
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in public spaces and assess the utility of inexpensive air purifiers equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for viral detection. Samples were collected from six community-based organizations in underserved minority neighborhoods in Northwest Miami, Florida, from February to May 2022. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in air purifier filters and surface swabs. Among 32 filters tested, three yielded positive results, while no positive surface swabs were found. Notably, positive samples were obtained exclusively from child daycare centers. These findings highlight the potential for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor air, particularly in child daycare centers. Moreover, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of readily available HEPA filters in detecting the virus. Improving indoor ventilation and implementing air filtration systems are crucial in reducing COVID-19 transmission where people gather. Air filtration systems incorporating HEPA filters offer a valuable approach to virus detection and reducing transmission risks. Future research should explore the applicability of this technology for early identification and mitigation of viral outbreaks.

Indexed as

Air FiltersAir Pollution, IndoorCOVID-19ChildDustEnvironmental MonitoringHumansSARS-CoV-2DustCOVID-19Environmental monitoringHEPA filtersIndoor airSARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID37837468
PMCPMC10576720
OpenAlexW4387639505

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.