HEPA filter stands for High Efficiency Particle filter. This means it can arrest or stop 99.97% of all particles .3 microns or larger will be eliminated by it. The first HEPA filter that was ever introduced was in 1940 for the Manhattan Project to help reduce the spread of airborne radioactive contaminates. They did not hit the market until the 1950's for residential and commercial use. Over time HEPA filters have changed many times to meet the demands of improving air quality in medical or aeronautical applications. Here we mainly talked about the common HEPA types.
Firstly, I want to talk about the vacuum cleaner-the most common HEPA type. You probably see it every day when you do simple tasks around the home or out and about. These are very popular with people that suffer from asthma or severe allergies, as a vacuum will kick up quite a bit of dust. HEPA filters on your vacuum act as a secondary filter for the air that is expelled from the vacuum itself. The only drawback with these filters is, you have to have 100% of the air going through the vacuum and then to this filter for it to work. The vacuum will usually be quite a bit bigger if it has a HEPA filter because it does take a bit bigger motor to be able to force this air through the filter.
Moreover, you will see such HEPA types in hospitals. Bio-Medical HEPA grade filters are a critical item to have for every hospital. A medical grade HEPA filter will be able to filter out 99.995% of all airborne contaminates. At any time, airborne contaminates could escape a room in a hospital if they do not have these types of HVAC filter systems installed. They will also have multiple HEPA filters in place not only for clean air throughout the hospital but also for any air that is exhausted outside the hospital. Typical mold and bacteria have a micron size of about 1-5 microns in diameter, so almost every single one of them gets trapped in the filter very easily. There are many steps that also go into make sure no one tampers with a duct that is moving this contaminated air unless there is a medical grade HEPA filter in place.
Sometimes a home HEPA until will include a carbon pre-filter that will help in capturing unpleasant odors. These HEPA types of filters are recommended to be replaced once a year and some can even be swept out with a small vacuum attachment to extend the life of the filter. Although Air Purifier HEPA Filters can be a bit expensive, the benefits can far outweigh the cost of the actual filter. You will notice fewer allergies, a cleaner general smell, less fine dust in your home and less of a risk of getting sick. If you have more questions on HEPA types, a good website: www.hefilter.com for you to consult.
