What is HEPA in an Air Purifier?

An air purifier is an appliance used for cleaning airdesignated as HEPA, air purifiers must meet very
indoors and they are used in homes, commercialstringent requirements as laid down by the
buildings, industrial workplaces etc. The applicationDepartment of Energy. HEPA filters should
of air purifiers is usually in places which tend toremove at least 99.97 % of air borne particles of
have unhealthy air due to pets, molds, pollutants,0.3 micron size at 85 liters per minute rate.
smoke or industrial work, hazardous materials etc.However HEPA filters are very expensive and
They are also popular in homes of allergic peoplereplacing the filter in the purifier may cost as
and people with asthma who wish to keep the airmuch as the purifier itself. Further HEPA filters
healthy in their homes. They are also popular duecannot remove gases or odors from the air. For
to the fact that the air inside homes is lessremoving gases, absorbent types of purifiers are
healthy than the air outside.suitable.
Since people spend a significant amount of timeOzone
indoors having an air purifier is healthy.Some Ionic purifiers produce ozone in the
Allergic applicationsdelivered air. Ozone can be dangerous at higher
Air purifiers are most popular for asthmatic andconcentration, which is the cause of a
allergic people and they work by keeping allergenscontroversy. However ionic purifiers are
and triggers out of the air in homes. Allergens orassociated with healthy air environments such as
triggers can be dust, pollen, mold spores, fungus,waterfalls, mountains etc, since these places have
pet hair, smoke particles, airborne gases etc.a negative ion concentration as in ionic types. An
Functioningionic air purifier in conjunction with an air filtration
There are various techniques for air purificationsystem is suited for most purposes.
like absorbents, ionizers, mechanical filters etc.What to look for
Absorbents can be in the form of activatedCustomers usually look for aesthetic appeal, noise
charcoal and ionizers can be in the form oflevels, size of the equipment, frequency of filter
electrostatic chargers. Some have additionalreplacement, electricity consumption, air delivery
systems like germ killing UV light, ionizer forrate etc. Most of the filters can be cleaned easily
neutralizing contaminants.by vacuuming, by water or by hand. The filters
HEPA filtersmay need replacement anywhere between
HEPA is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulatemonths to a few years depending upon the type
Air. HEPA filters are very popular. Before beingof air purifier.