This newscast, conducted by Elisha Citron (UCL), considers a recent study by researchers within the Air Safety programme demonstrating the complex, and potentially negative, effects of portable air cleaners in hospitals. Air cleaners create new air currents, the effects of which are very difficult to predict and may lead to the build-up of airborne viral aerosols in specific areas. This result likely carries over to the use of portable air cleaners in the home, which became very popular following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the study has its limitations, it demonstrates the complexity of solving scientific issues. 

Click here to read our UCL press release about the research.