HEPA Air Filter

HEPA Filters

HEPA air filters have revolutionized the world of Air Purifiers and their positive effects for most allergy sufferers. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter) filters were designed to remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size which are the most difficult particles to filter. With this percent of particle reduction, it’s not hard to see why so many people suffering from allergies benefit greatly by the use of a HEPA filter air purifier like the IQAir Advanced Air Purifiers and the Blueair Air Cleaners which use not only HEPA technology, but also prefilters designed to extend the life of the HEPA filter. Allergy sufferers can rest assured that the airborne contaminants in their air are being removed by the HEPA filter thus relieving their allergy symptoms and allowing for a better quality of life within their home. To better understand HEPA filters, let’s take a closer look at their technology and make up.

HEPA filters are composed of randomly arranged fibers on a mat-like surface; this random arrangement of fibers allows for more particles to be trapped within them. The filter uses three different methods to capture particles down to 0.3 microns in size: Impaction, Interception and Diffusion. Impaction is when the larger particles are simply unable to avoid the fibers and thus are forced to embed themselves into one directly. This effect increases with higher air flow and smaller fiber separation. Interception occurs when particulates, following the flow of air, come within close proximity to a fiber and adhere to it. Diffusion is an enhancing mechanism that is the result of the collision with gas molecules by the smallest particles which are thereby impeded and delayed in their path through the filter. This action thus increases the chances that a particle will be stopped by either of the above mentioned methods of capture. This method becomes the dominant method in lower air flow velocities. With these three methods, you can see how 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size are captured and held within this incredible filter that has been around for years.

The HEPA air filter has a long history of use and research; another reason why allergy sufferers can rest assured that by purchasing a HEPA filter-based unit like the IQAir Advanced Air Purifier and the Blueair Air Cleaner, their symptoms should easily dissipate. The first HEPA filter was designed in the 1940’s and was initially used to prevent the spread of airborne radioactive contaminants. The filter was commercialized in the 1950’s and the name became a registered trademark in the business along with a generic name for any highly efficient air filter. Over the years, the filters evolved to accommodate the constant demands for better air quality in various technologies such as pharmaceutical processing, hospitals, aerospace, nuclear power and computer chipping. Today, a HEPA filter rating is applicable to any highly efficient air filter that can attain the same filter efficiency performance standards as the ones mentioned above. They must be able to remove 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The United States Department of Energy has specific requirements for HEPA filters in regulated applications and mentions that products claiming to be ‘HEPA-like’ or ‘99% HEPA’ do not satisfy these requirements so please be aware of these less efficient products. Our IQAir Air Purifeirs and Blueair Air Cleaners have a true HEPA filter and we believe they are the best Air Filters on the market.

Copyright © 2006-2011 CleanAir4Life.com. All rights reserved.