Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

The Molekule Air Pro RX is FDA-cleared to kill viruses and bacteria

Patrick Hearn
By

In the ongoing fight against the coronavirus, people have questioned whether an air purifier would be of any assistance in reducing the risk of exposure. While many air purifiers do not filter at a level small enough to inhibit the virus, Molekule has just announced the Air Pro RX, a new medical-grade air purifier, has received 510(k) Class II Medical Device clearance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Air Pro RX uses the same PECO filters as other Molekule devices and is intended to capture and destroy bacteria and viruses in the air. While the Air Pro RX is intended for use in medical facilities, Molekule says there are plans to release a commercial-grade air purifier for use in office buildings, schools, grocery stores, and other high-traffic locations.

Recommended Videos

Third-party labs tested the Air Pro RX and found it removed up to 99.999% of SARS-CoV-2 proxy viruses. One lab tested the device’s ability to eliminate Phi X 174, a virus with many similarities to SARS-CoV-2, and found it reduced concentrations of the virus by 98.7% over two hours. Another virus with similarities to influenza was reduced by 99.999% within 24 hours.

Related

A few hospitals have already announced plans to implement the Air Pro RX in its facilities to help safeguard frontline healthcare workers and visitors by placing the air purifiers in waiting rooms and emergency rooms.

air-pro-rx-molekule

To receive FDA guidance, a medical device must meet all recommended guidelines. The Air Pro RX meets the performance criteria recommended by the FDA guidelines for reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare settings and has proven more effective than comparable air purifiers.

The Air Pro RX is designed to begin working as soon as it is plugged in, with no prior setup required. It uses two filters: a Pre-Filter for capturing large particles, and a PECO (Photo Electrochemical Oxidation) filter to capture smaller particles like bacteria and viruses. The Air Pro RX can be cleaned and sanitized using the same wipe-down protocol standard in most medical facilities.

With technology capable of reducing the spread of some of the most common and harmful viruses and bacteria, the Air Pro RX is in a prime position to protect healthcare workers and hospital visitors. In time, commercial versions of this device will improve the air quality of public areas and make a trip to the grocery store that much safer.

Correction: This article previously stated the Molekule Air Pro RX is FDA-certified. It’s been cleared, but not certified.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Patrick Hearn
Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
The new Wyze Air Purifier offers quiet, efficient filtration
The Wyze Air Purifier is quiet enough for use in any room.

Wyze has announced a new air purifier with three different filter options. You can choose which filter you want at purchase, but the other filters can be purchased at a later date and swapped out on the fly as needed.

The Wyze Air Purifier filter options include the Allergen (Standard) filter, the Formaldehyde (Premium) filter, and the Wildfire filter. It utilizes a true HEPA filter for 99.97% efficiency in eliminating harmful, airborne particles such as dander, pollen, and even smoke. The purifier has enough power to clean a 500-square-foot room up to three times an hour, and it's not too loud even on the highest setting. The sound ranges from 21 decibels in its sleep mode to 54 decibels on its highest level -- roughly the same volume as a refrigerator's hum.

Read more
5 health benefits of smart air purifiers, according to science
Instant air purifier with pet.

If you’re going to spend money on a high-tech air purifier with multiple filters and handy smart technology, it’d be nice to know if it works, right? If you’re looking at air purifiers and wondering if they really can make your air cleaner and safer, or have an effect on health problems like allergies, you certainly aren’t alone.

While scientific research still has questions about the types of air purification, research has shown promising results in several areas. Here’s how air purifiers really can make a difference.
True HEPA filters work to combat indoor allergies

Read more
App makes Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro truly smart
Breville Joule Oven Air Fry Pro with app.

Breville's first smart oven, the Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, works in conjunction with its Joule Oven app to deliver a true smart cooking experience. In the coming months, the app will be filled with recipes from a selection of chefs including Top Chef alums Gregory Gourdet, Claudette Zepeda, and Eric Adjepong (to name a few.) There will also be recipes adapted to work with the oven from Williams Sonoma, Serious Eats, New York Times Cooking, and America's Test Kitchen.
Joule app is more than just recipes

The app isn't just filled with recipes and instructional videos; it actually works in conjunction with the oven to make sure the food is cooked perfectly every time. Each recipe features step-by-step instructions and the right settings. Users can also use the Autopilot mode to set it and forget. When you use this feature, the Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro will switch modes during cooking to deliver a perfectly cooked meal. You can also use the app to monitor progress, provide voice commands through Alexa and Google Voice Assistant, and find tips and tricks.

Read more