This is why you should not close the air vents on the aircraft

If you regularly fly, it may not be strange for the vents right above your seat. Maybe you are worried about getting sick, or simply being cold, and turning it off. However, our advice is not recommended.

According to Business Insider, these vents are really protecting your health, because it will help prevent contact with certain microorganisms that can make you sick during flight.

Dr. Mark Gendreau - Medical Director at Lahey Peabody Medical Center, an expert in the field of infectious diseases in the air - explained the principle of operation of these "mini-air conditioners" as follows: "Air vents are often attributed to bad things that are not worth it."

Why is that? He said that in the past 15 years, there have not been any studies related to this issue, not to mention that most people are "fooled" about the operating principle of airborne ventilation.

The air vents on aircraft are often attributed to bad things that are not worth it.

"The air flow on the plane is not only in the direction from the front to the back, or from the back to the front. In fact, this airflow is divided into many areas on the plane. As a general rule, your air flow breathing out and breathing in will circulate in the area from 2 to 5 rows around you ".

Specifically, this ventilation system works as follows: Each of the above air circulation areas (called temperature control areas ) receives air from distribution pipes located above the ceiling of the plane and runs vertically. length of cabin. Air from the aircraft is discharged through a grille located below the window, or located in the area between the floor and the flight wall.

This airflow will be combined with air outside the aircraft through a system called HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) to purify dirt and bacteria, before being brought back into the aircraft.

The number of ventilated areas depends on the type of aircraft, but the general rule is that each area must undergo an air filtration period of 15 to 30 times per hour, with 50% of the air in the compartment being rotated. reuse cycle and 50% of air coming from outside the aircraft.

This filter system is designed from the time smoking is also allowed during flights, so this is a very effective method to filter the smoke-filled air in the cabin. This system can eliminate up to 99% of airborne dirt and bacteria!

"For airborne viruses, air purification is very important, because the process is the safest way to control the air, in addition to isolating patients" - Dr. Gendreau said.

The ventilation system helps you prevent the virus from spreading through the air.

Airborne viruses such as tuberculosis, measles . can be transmitted through very small nuclei that exist in the air (up to 5 hours maximum), while influenza viruses and respiratory tract are They are larger and heavier (therefore they "fall" to the floor faster). That is why the ventilation system becomes important. Just adjust it to medium or low, you will create an invisible air barrier around it, causing air turbulence, which helps prevent infectious particles and make them fall to the floor faster.

And yet, the humidity on the plane is quite low, causing the mucous membranes in your nose to dry faster than usual, thereby making you more susceptible to virus invasion. Therefore, it is important to prevent viruses from contacting your nose.

Finally, the above-mentioned flu-causing bacterial particles can fly up to 6 feet (about 182 cm) each time someone coughs, sneezes, or talks, so be careful to clean up the next surfaces. contact, or avoid touching these surfaces as much as possible, such as a small dining table that many people open to sleep.