It Matters! Why Get A True HEPA Air Purifier
Posted: Thursday, January 07, 2010
by Anthony Davis
When shopping for a HEPA air purifier, you'll often see products labeled as a "True" HEPA air purifier. This can be confusing because, if there's a true, then there must be a false, right? There are a few different things that True HEPA air purifiers are comparing to, but none of them will be labeled as false or sub-standard, of course. It's up to you, the consumer, to know the difference, and know if it affects you. Let's take a look at the True HEPA Air Purifier, and see what they are comparing to.
Even though they are HEPA air purifiers, if they do not say "True" or possible "Absolute" HEPA air purifier, they are not the same thing. When HEPA air purifiers are advertising effectiveness as stated by such government agencies as the EPA and OSHA, they are generally the true type even if not specifically stated on the packaging. Regardless of the other air purifiers on the market, institutions such as hospitals and laboratories are such sensitive areas that they only use true HEPA air purifiers.
Evil Particles! True HEPA Air Purifiers Stop Them
One of the main things that a true HEPA air purifier must be able to do is filter at least 97% of 0.3 micron particles. This may sound like so much technical jargon, but it's actually quite important. 0.3 micron particles are the hardest size for filters to stop, including those particles that are even smaller. Not only that, but they are small enough to very easily bypass the human body's natural defenses and enter the respiratory system, causing all sorts of maladies. Suddenly 0.3 micron particles sound a little less nerdy, and a bit more deadly. If you're interested in how small 0.3 microns actually is, compare it to a human hair. A human hair can be anywhere from 70 to 100 microns in thickness.
True HEPA Air Purifies Actually Work Better When Dirty
This is one of the main differences between True HEPA air purifiers and others. This is also where the terms "True" and "Absolute" become interchangeable. An absolute type filtration media is designed to be more effective when dirty than when clean. The addition of the trapped particles actually increases the filtration power of a true HEPA air purifier. The reason for this is actually quite simple. As the dirt builds up, the spaces through which the air can pass become smaller.
Is There A Way To Tell If A HEPA Air Purifier Is True?
The packaging will give you all the information you really need to know if it is a true HEPA air purifier. Beware of the many HEPA-type air purifiers that are on the market that are held no to actual standards of filtration. If the product does not advertise as either "true HEPA" or "absolute HEPA" then check for the efficiency ratings on the packaging. Remember, you are looking for it to filter at least 97 percent of those tiny, dangerous 0.3 microns and if it doesn't then it is not a true HEPA air purifier.
Check out HEPA Air Purifiers Info for all the information you could ever need on HEPA air purifiers.
This Article has been viewed 181 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.