DOH: Necklace air purifiers not recommended

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30) — The Department of Health (DOH) said it does not endorse nor recommend the use of necklace air purifiers, especially in place of masks, due to lack of evidence for its efficacy.

"The DOH clarifies that it is NOT ENDORSING the use of necklace air purifiers that claim to kill bacteria or viruses or protect from COVID-19," the agency said in a statement on Friday. "While these devices do not pose ay harm, the DOH currently does not recommend using these devices due to lack of evidence of efficacy."

The portable air purifiers have been claimed to remove airborne pollutants - including viruses, bacteria and dust - from the user's personal space.

President Rodrigo Duterte, nonetheless, has been seen using it since last year supposedly as protection from people's coughs and colds.

The DOH emphasized that the best weapon against the spread of the coronavirus is still following minimum health standards such as frequent washing of hands, wearing face masks and observing physical distancing