The ViroMax Viral-Bacterial Filter was tested at Nelson Laboratories at an increased challenge level that included a higher viral concentration and aerosolized particles that are smaller than the upper range (≤5 µm) of what the CDC generally defines as droplet nuclei 1 or infectious aerosols 2.
The virus used in these tests is the φX174, a spherical, icosahedral bacteriophage with 5,386 nucleotides and 27 nm (0.027 µm) in size. The challenge liquid was nebulized and then aerosolized in order to mimic aerosols and respiratory droplets. The mean particle size of these aerosols in the tests was 2.8 µm.
Each challenge in these reproducible tests consisted of 1.6 x 106 plaque-forming units or more. And the plates were incubated at body temperature for 12 to 24 hours.