Systems and methods of reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone

A method of reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person comprising:

• a. routing exhaled air from a breathing zone of a person through an air intake nozzle to a manifold assembly via a tube coupled between an outlet of the nozzle and an inlet port of the manifold assembly, wherein an air gap is created between the person and nozzle;
• b. deactivating and/or filtering airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air, supplied from the manifold assembly, using a purification unit;
• and
• c. drawing the exhaled air from the person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust valve.

A system for reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person comprising:

• a. a manifold assembly including a multi-port valve coupled to multiple tubes each fitted with an air intake nozzle positioned at breathing zones of one or more persons such that an air gap is created between each person and each nozzle, wherein exhaled air is routed from each person to the manifold assembly via the tubes;
• b. a purification unit for deactivating and/or filtering airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air supplied from the manifold assembly;
• and
• c. a suction assembly for drawing the exhaled air from each person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust value.