A local business and church were hit with cease-and-desist letters from the Arizona Attorney General's Office following claims that an air filtration system could eliminate 99.9% of COVID-19.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued the letter Friday, June 26 to Clean Air EXP, demanding the company stop advertising air purification systems by suggesting the systems neutralize COVID-19.

The Attorney General’s Office alleges that Clean Air EXP has advertised and continues to advertise that its air filtration products neutralize 99.9% of viruses that are “COVID-19 surrogates." Also, previous representations made by Clean Air EXP under the heading “COVID-19 REPORT” on the company's website suggested that its filtration systems would neutralize 99.9% of “coronavirus,” when in fact this was based on testing of coronavirus 229E, a virus which causes the common cold, according to a release.

The letter states that these representations imply that Clean Air EXP’s products can prevent COVID-19 transmission and infection. The AG's Office is aware of no scientific research or public health authority certifying any kind of air treatment product as a means of preventing COVID-19 infections, the release states.

“Businesses cannot mislead consumers with their advertising, especially when it comes to health issues as serious as COVID-19,” Mr. Brnovich stated. “We will not tolerate companies or individuals attempting to deceive or exploit the public during this public health crisis.”

In a response to the letter, CleanAir EXP stated they are committed to developing and providing advanced air and surface purification systems for homes and businesses.

"No air purification system, including ours, can universally prevent coronavirus (including COVID-19) infections," according to a statement from CleanAir EXP. "On June 23, we updated our website to further emphasize the coronavirus surrogates used in our laboratory testing and made all lab reports available. We encourage following hygiene guidelines in the manner ordered or suggested by government authorities.”

A similar letter was sent to Dream City Church regarding public representations it made regarding an air filtration system the church purchased from Clean Air EXP. In particular, Dream City stated the filtration system “kills 99 percent of COVID within 10 minutes” and that “when you come into [the church’s] auditorium, 99 percent of COVID is gone. So you can know when you come down here, you'll be safe and protected.” Because Dream City rents its facility for public events not related to church functions, the church was placed on notice that misrepresentations and false promises related to the safety of church facilities may violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, according to the release.

Both Dream City and CleanAir EXP are expected to comply with the order by 5 p.m. Monday, June 29.

The air filtration system was touted as being effective against the novel coronavirus ahead of a Students for Trump event that took place Tuesday, June 23 at Dream City Church in Phoenix. President Donald Trump attended the event, as did around 3,000 other people.

Independent Newsmedia has reached out to Dream City regarding the AG's letter.