Earlier, we discussed things we were doing because of COVID-19. I would like to suggest something NOT to do.
DON'T VACUUM or sweep areas that may have been exposed to an infected person. Don't shake out rugs either.
My understanding is that the droplets with the virus will eventually fall to the floor. There, they are relatively unlikely to be a hazard to adults.
COROLLARY: Be diligent in not allowing children to play on the floor in public places during an epidemic.
If you vacuum a floor, any virus particles will be sucked up and either filtered or blown back out into the air. If they go back into the air, the vacuumer and any other people around again get a chance to inhale the virus particles into their nasal passages or lungs. They may also fall onto surface that you had previously cleaned.
Can the virus particles be filtered out?
There are vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters. Are these good enough to filter out the coronavirus? I wouldn't bet my life on it.
HEPA filters are specified to filter out a high percentage of particles of size 0.3 micron. Coronavirus is about 1/3 that size (0.1 micron).
There may be HEPA filters specified to a higher standard, but don't just depend on the HEPA classification.
Using a rug shampooer or mopping a hard surface with a detergent or disinfectant would be a better option if you need to clean it.
(You may want to advise your workplace to take this into consideration for the janitorial staff.)
By the way, N95 masks are also specified to filter out a high percentage of 0.3 micron particles.
DON'T VACUUM or sweep areas that may have been exposed to an infected person. Don't shake out rugs either.
My understanding is that the droplets with the virus will eventually fall to the floor. There, they are relatively unlikely to be a hazard to adults.
COROLLARY: Be diligent in not allowing children to play on the floor in public places during an epidemic.
If you vacuum a floor, any virus particles will be sucked up and either filtered or blown back out into the air. If they go back into the air, the vacuumer and any other people around again get a chance to inhale the virus particles into their nasal passages or lungs. They may also fall onto surface that you had previously cleaned.
Can the virus particles be filtered out?
There are vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters. Are these good enough to filter out the coronavirus? I wouldn't bet my life on it.
HEPA filters are specified to filter out a high percentage of particles of size 0.3 micron. Coronavirus is about 1/3 that size (0.1 micron).
There may be HEPA filters specified to a higher standard, but don't just depend on the HEPA classification.
Using a rug shampooer or mopping a hard surface with a detergent or disinfectant would be a better option if you need to clean it.
(You may want to advise your workplace to take this into consideration for the janitorial staff.)
By the way, N95 masks are also specified to filter out a high percentage of 0.3 micron particles.