HEPA Cleaners for Viral Infections

Overseen By Wanda Phipatanakul, MD MS

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Cancer, Genetic disorders, Psychiatric, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1 school year

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial investigates whether HEPA cleaners in elementary school classrooms can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. The study will compare real HEPA cleaners to fake ones to determine any difference in illness rates among students, teachers, and their families. Children in grades K-5 who attend certain schools, along with their families or teachers, might be suitable for this trial if they do not plan to change schools in the next year. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to valuable research that may enhance public health in schools.

What prior data suggests that HEPA cleaners are safe for use in classrooms?

Research has shown that HEPA cleaners effectively capture tiny particles, including viruses. Studies have found that HEPA filters can remove at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, meaning they can catch most virus particles in the air, which are often smaller than this size.

When used correctly, HEPA cleaners can reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in indoor spaces like classrooms. No evidence suggests that HEPA cleaners cause harm, as they do not release anything harmful into the air. They work by trapping particles in the filter.

Overall, HEPA cleaners are considered safe for use in places like schools to improve air quality and reduce the spread of viruses. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using HEPA cleaners to combat viral infections because these devices offer a non-invasive way to potentially reduce virus particles in the air. Unlike medications or vaccines that directly target the virus within the body, HEPA cleaners aim to clean the air, which could lower the overall exposure to airborne viruses. This method could be particularly beneficial in environments like schools, where reducing transmission is crucial. If effective, HEPA cleaners could serve as a complementary strategy to traditional treatments, enhancing overall infection control.

What evidence suggests that HEPA cleaners are effective for reducing viral infections?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of active HEPA cleaners with sham HEPA cleaners in classrooms. Research has shown that HEPA air cleaners can improve air quality and may help reduce respiratory infections. However, studies have produced mixed results regarding their impact on reducing virus exposure. One study found that while HEPA purifiers didn't significantly lower the total amount of viruses in classrooms, they did reduce the variety of viruses by 33%. Another study found that detecting non-COVID-19 viruses in the air was rare, suggesting some effectiveness. Overall, while HEPA cleaners can improve air quality, additional measures might be needed to significantly reduce viral infections. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 6-15 in grades K-8 who attend certain schools where the study can take samples, and adults over 21 related to or teaching these kids. Participants must not plan to change schools within a year and must understand and agree to the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Attend one of the schools that the study team has permission to obtain classroom/school environmental samples

Have no plans to move schools within the upcoming 12 months

Subject and/or parent guardian must be able to understand and provide informed consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Classrooms are equipped with either active or sham HEPA cleaners to test their efficacy in reducing respiratory viral exposure and infections

1 school year

Longitudinal air and respiratory samples collected

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• HEPA Cleaner

Trial Overview The study tests if HEPA air cleaners in classrooms can cut down on virus exposure and infections among students, teachers, and their families. Classrooms are randomly chosen to get either real or fake (sham) HEPA cleaners to see if there's a difference.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active HEPA cleaner Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Active HEPA cleaners will be placed in classrooms throughout the school year

Group II: Sham HEPA cleaner Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sham HEPA cleaners will be placed in classrooms throughout the school year

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Boston Children's Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

801

Recruited

5,584,000+

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Collaborator

Trials

3,361

Recruited

5,516,000+

Citations

1. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2839930

Air Purifier Intervention for Respiratory Viral Exposure in ... Conclusions and Relevance In this secondary analysis, HEPA purifiers were not associated with a reduction in high viral exposure but were ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11045022/

Air Cleaners and Respiratory Infections in Schools Air cleaners improved air quality and showed potential benefits in reducing respiratory infections. Airborne detection of non–SARS-CoV-2 viruses was rare, ...

3. cidrap.umn.edu cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/hepa-purifiers-not-tied-less-viral-exposure-elementary-classrooms-analysis-finds

HEPA purifiers not tied to less viral exposure in elementary ... "Air purifiers did not reduce overall viral load in classrooms, suggesting that additional interventions may be needed in schools," she added.

4. powershealth.org powershealth.org/about-us/newsroom/health-library/2025/10/15/hepa-air-purifiers-dont-get-rid-of-airborne-viruses-in-classrooms-study-says

HEPA Air Purifiers Dont Get Rid Of Airborne Viruses In ... HEPA purifiers did cause a modest decrease (33%) in the diversity of viruses found in classrooms. But this decrease did not appear to reduce ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950362024000043

The effect of room air cleaners on infection control in day ... The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of air cleaning in reducing the risk of respiratory infection in two day care centres.

6. epa.gov epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19

Air Cleaners, HVAC Filters, and Coronavirus (COVID-19) When used properly, air cleaners and HVAC filters can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a building or small space.

7. kingcounty.gov kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/environmental-health/healthy-water-air-soil/indoor-air-quality-mold/technology/hepa

HEPA cleaners - King County, Washington Use HEPA or True HEPA filters, meaning they are at least 99.97% effective at filtering particles as small as 0.3 microns. Are verified by AHAM to have a clean ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3382390/

Air Cleaning Technologies: An Evidence-Based Analysis - PMC A true HEPA filter is standardized at a minimum 99.97% efficiency rating for removing particles greater than or equal to 0.3μm (1/83,000 of an inch) in diameter ...

9. cdc.gov cdc.gov/niosh/ventilation/faq/index.html

Ventilation FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Thus, HEPA filters are no less than 99.97% efficient at capturing human-generated viral particles. Research shows that the particle size of ...

10. cnet.com cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/exclusive-data-best-air-purifier-preventing-sickness-cold-flu-season/

Our Exclusive Data Reveals the Best Air Purifier for ... The device uses a HEPA H13 filter with a 99.95% removal efficiency for particles down to 0.1 microns per liter of air, as well as activated ...