DOH: Wearing Air Purifier Necklace Cannot Replace Minimum Health Standards

The pandemic has introduced a lot of new essentials in the household—foot baths and disinfection areas, among others—and it has caused a sudden need for air sanitizers, especially for those who are caring for very young children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities.

This need has given rise to many unusual “innovations” that have presented themselves as gadgets that can “protect” you from the virus while you’re out and about. One of these are necklace air purifiers.

During a March 18 interview with Summit Media Editors, DOH Special Assistant to the Secratary for Universal Health Care Dr. Beverly Ho has reiterated the Department of Health’s stand on these devices.

“We are not endorsing any such device because of lack of evidence,” she says. “Kami naman basta may ebidensya, we recommend it, but we are also not stopping people from buying it if they want to, if it makes them feel safe.”

This echoes the DOH’s previous statement released in October 2020, which says, “The DOH clarifies that it is NOT ENDORSING the use of necklace air purifiers that claim to kill bacteria or viruses, or protect from COVID-19.

“Further, the DOH emphasizes that wearing of necklace air purifiers DOES NOT replace the need to practice minimum health standards.”

There’s really no magic machine that can fully promise to protect you from COVID-19, and certainly none that can shield you while you’re out and about, even if it’s worn around your neck. If you’re outdoors, the best way you can protect yourself is to wear a mask, a face shield, and to practice social distancing.

If you’re at home and you or your family members travel daily for work, an air purifier with HEPA air filters is what you can consider investing in. “May value talaga ‘yong HEPA filter,” says Dr. Ho.

"In fact, it’s also what the Department of Labor and Employment requires companies to have in offices. Depending on your home’s floor area, you can get air purifiers with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestor) filters starting at around P11,000 in your nearby appliance store. Here are a few you can consider:

Panasonic F-PXM35ASP 26sqm Air Purifier

P11,989 (from P13,398), Abenson

 
IMAGE Abenson

Sharp FP-JM40P-B 30sqm Air Plasmacluster Air Purifier with Mosquito Catcher

P16,148 (from 16,998), Lazada

 
IMAGE Lazada/Sharp

Blueair 480i 37 sqm Air Purifier

P33,995, Anson’s

IMAGE Anson's

 

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 This story originally appeared on Realliving.com.ph.

*Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.