The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released recommended ventilation standards for buildings to help prevent respiratory infections and reduce the spread of airborne pathogens, like the coronavirus.
Among its list of suggestions, CDC now recommends a minimum MERV 13 filter and minimum five air changes per hour. The organization also recommends bringing in fresh air whenever possible, using air cleaners (also known as air purifiers), using UV treatments, and deploying portable carbon dioxide monitors.
Several industry organizations applauded the recommendations. The International WELL Building Institute said in a statement: “We commend the Biden Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for their latest effort – setting CDC’s first-ever minimum ventilation guidance for indoor spaces which, if widely implemented, has the potential to dramatically improve our collective health, well-being and productivity, especially during cold and flu season.”
The new CDC guidance was developed in conjunction with the new ASHRAE standard, Control of Infectious Aerosols.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
