| HEPA is an acronym for high efficiency particle | | | | eliminate bacteria and viruses down to .3 microns. |
| arresting. The first letter of each word has been | | | | Bacteria range in size from .5 to 20 microns; and |
| used to shorten the name of this technology | | | | viruses have a range of .002 to .3 microns. |
| which can sometimes be a mouth full to | | | | Because many viruses are smaller than .3 microns |
| pronounce. Using this type of filter in homes and | | | | this type of filter may at first seem an |
| offices has become increasingly important in | | | | ineffective solution for their removal. But viruses |
| keeping us healthy. Here are some answers that | | | | typically travel by attaching to larger airborne |
| will help you determine whether it can help you in | | | | particles such as the ones mentioned in the |
| your home or office. | | | | paragraph above, removing the bigger particles |
| How effective is it at removing particles? By | | | | greatly reduces the number of viruses in the air. |
| definition this type of filter removes 99.97% of | | | | Will it remove airborne pet dander and pet hair? |
| particles as small as .3 microns, with one micron | | | | This type of filter easily eliminates pet dander and |
| (used to measure length) defined as one millionth | | | | hair from the air. And as you probably know from |
| of a meter. And to really get a feeling for how | | | | experience, all warm blooded pets such as dogs, |
| big even one micron is, the period at the end of | | | | cats, birds, ferrets, bunnies, and hamsters have |
| this sentence measures 615 microns. The benefit | | | | both hair and dander. |
| for us is that air filtered with HEPA technology will | | | | How well do HEPA filters eliminate odors and |
| have 99,997 out of every 10,000 particles | | | | gases? HEPA filters, as their name suggests, are |
| removed from the air. | | | | best at eliminating particles rather than gases and |
| What kinds of things can it remove from the air? | | | | odors. Carbon based filters have been determined |
| It can remove airborne pollutants such as dust, | | | | to be best at eliminating gases, odors, and |
| dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pollens, | | | | chemical fumes. There are air purifiers available |
| copier toner, human hair, saw dust, talcum | | | | that have both HEPA and carbon based filters |
| powder, face powder and various other | | | | making them an efficient, practical, and cost |
| particulates that are .3 microns or larger in size. | | | | effective way of dealing with a greater variety of |
| Can it eliminate bacteria and viruses? It can | | | | indoor airborne pollutants. |