[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schnabel, research associate at MFPA Weimar and Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, explains what air purifiers need to combat Corona – and why he doesn’t rely on conventional filter technology.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Micro-aerosols – this word is becoming increasingly important in the course of the Corona pandemic. While surface disinfection was the focus at the beginning, it later became clear: The virus is also airborne. In enclosed spaces with multiple people, we should therefore ventilate as often as possible. However, as temperatures drop, this becomes more difficult. An alternative: air purifiers. But filtering micro-aerosols from the air is challenging, says Dr. Tobias Schnabel, who heads the research and development department at Lynatox GmbH. In this article, he explains why many products on the market cause more problems than they solve, and how his approach differs. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People emit potentially dangerous aerosols both when speaking and breathing. This infographic from ZDF<\/a> shows that a single infected person in a classroom without a mask and with tilted windows contaminates the entire room – in just 2 minutes. Restaurants, schools, and other facilities where mask requirements end at the seat will therefore need to ventilate more intensively or use air purifiers. Because the fewer particles in the air, the lower the risk of infection. This is also confirmed by a research project at the Bundeswehr University in a new study<\/a>: Room air purifiers are suitable tools to address the indirect risk of infection. While they are not a guarantee against infection, they do make a significant difference. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” width=”90%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tobias-schnabel-experte.webp” alt=”Tobias Schnabel” title_text=”Tobias-Schnabel-Experte” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F2F2F2″ custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n From 2020 – Research Associate, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Chair of Urban Water Management and Environmental Technology<\/p>\n 2015 – Present Research Associate at the Material Research and Testing Institute, Weimar in the field of Environmental and Construction Chemistry and Environmental Process Engineering<\/p>\n Founder and CTO at Lynatox GmbH as an expert in photocatalysis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The amount of viruses absorbed is crucial in determining how severe an infection becomes. This, in turn, influences how severe the course of the disease can be. Scientists refer to this as the “initial load” that a person takes in. That’s why air purifiers and ventilation are so important: While they never completely clear the air, they significantly reduce the initial load we absorb in enclosed spaces. <\/p>\n The air purifiers that many suppliers are now advertising on the market in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus are mostly HEPA filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air\/Arrestance filters). These HEPA filters have three major disadvantages that are unfortunately little known. <\/p>\n First of all: Good, reliable quality features are T\u00dcV and CE marks. I wouldn’t buy a device without these seals. But many devices not only lack these seals, they are even dangerous. There are UVC air purifiers in which the UVC tube operates with a mercury-containing light source. If this UVC tube breaks, the health hazard is enormous. There are even devices on the market where the UVC tube radiates openly into the room. In the worst case, this can lead to lasting damage to the eyes and carcinogenic sunburns. There are no regulations from the legislator in this direction, T\u00dcV certification is not mandatory. We voluntarily obtained T\u00dcV certification for our devices because our devices should be safe to use anywhere. <\/p>\n Then there are plasma air purifiers. Plasma devices don’t actually use plasma for air purification, but the ozone it produces. And I don’t want ozone in my own four walls or in my children’s school. Usually, the device also smells very unpleasant. In the worst case, these devices form even more harmful substances through reaction with the room air than ozone already is. For example, the highly toxic nitrosamine is formed from the reaction of ozone and nicotine. Here too, there are still no standards or VDI guidelines. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/zitat.svg” title_text=”Quote” admin_label=”Anf\u00fcrhungszeichen” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”80px” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Zitat” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.8em” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_tablet=”1.6em” text_font_size_phone=”1.6em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Customers can hardly assess whether a device on the market really works<\/strong> and what “side effects” it has.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Zitat” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schnabel[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A good air purifier must meet several technical requirements. Let’s assume it’s being used in schools and other public buildings with a lot of public traffic. This means: <\/p>\nAerosols Have Become a Focus as a Transmission Route<\/h3>\n
Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schnabel<\/h3>\n
Not all Infections are Equal<\/h3>\n
Many Air Purifiers Offered on the Market are Problematic<\/h3>\n
Three Disadvantages of HEPA Filters<\/h3>\n
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And then there are Air Purifiers that are not just Problematic, but Dangerous<\/h3>\n
What Must a Good Air Purifier be Able to Do in Times of Pandemic?<\/h3>\n
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Lynatox Relies on Photocatalysis Instead of Filtering Processes<\/h3>\n