Spain – Air conditioning manufacturer, Hispacold International SA of Seville, Spain, says an independent test shows its eco3 air purifier is 99.7% effective in removing the coronavirus from the air. Official testing was recently undertaken at the Biological Defence Area at the CBN Defence Systems Department of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) - a subdivision of the Spanish Defence Ministry.

The trials were to evaluate the extent of the reduction of the viral load in an aerosol of the bacterial virus MS2 when it is treated using Cold Plasma - a treatment involving ionisation. The trials were carried out inside a 15m-long coach equipped with eco-3 air purifiers. Under current legislation regarding ‘the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents in the workplace’, the facility where such tests are carried out must be biosafety-level-equipped. SARS-Cov-2 is categorised as a Biosafety level (BSL) 3 risk (with BSL4 the highest risk category) and any tests involving this virus must therefore be carried out using biosafety cabinets, which use carefully controlled airflow or sealed enclosures to prevent infection.