Euromate part of CLAIRE: Clean Air for Everyone partnership

CLAIRE partnership is investigating what ventilation systems and air purifiers must meet to prevent corona infections. Research will de done in primary schools and nursing homes into the effectiveness of ventilation and air purification to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Ventilation and air cleaning can help reduce the airborne spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in buildings. But what requirements must these ventilation systems and air purifiers meet in order to minimize spread? A collaboration of twenty Dutch partners will test the effectiveness of various systems. Utrecht University coordinates the collaboration in which sixteen companies and other partners participate, in addition to three other knowledge institutes (Eindhoven TU, TNO and Leiden University).

Professor Lidwien Smit coordinates the partnership on behalf of Utrecht University. Despite the fact that the corona pandemic appears to be abating at the moment, Smit sees the relevance of the research for society. “More knowledge about effective air cleaning is of great importance not only for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, but also for preparing for future pandemics and for improving the indoor climate in general.

‘More knowledge about air cleaning is of great importance in preparing for possible future pandemics’
Lidwien Smit, professor of One Health and Environmental Epidemiology

Primary schools and nursing homes
‘The research takes place in primary schools and in nursing homes,’ says Smit. ‘In addition to the architectural, technological and virological aspects, we also investigate whether the systems are acceptable and usable for users. We provide a scientific basis to evaluate ventilation systems and air cleaning equipment.” The scientists examine the performance of air purifiers and ventilation systems while measuring aerosols and SARS-CoV-2 virus and other microorganisms in the air. The researchers also focus on recent developments in mobile air cleaning devices, for which they develop new evaluation and validation methods.

Collaboration between twenty partners
The partnership is called CLAIRE: Clean Air for Everyone. Utrecht University is coordinating the collaboration, for which 2.8 million euros has been made available by Health~Holland. In addition to the four knowledge institutions, sixteen companies and other organizations participate in the consortium, including the Indoor Climate Netherlands Association, Habion, Actiz and the Indoor Climate Technology Foundation. Euromate is also part of the partnership and makes certified air cleaners available.