Thursday, January 14, 2010

True HEPA Air Purifers Really Work Better


By Heath Plunger

You will probably see items that are labeled "True" HEPA if you shop for HEPA air purifiers. So, I'm sure you're wondering, does that mean there's a false one? Of course you would never find a product that boldly proclaimed to be a sub-standard HEPA air purifier, but to be called a True HEPA air purifier, there are some differences. As with any other purchase, it's left to the consumer to figure out the differences and know if they need to look for one or the other. Let's examine True HEPA air purifiers and why some products may not claim this.

Differences! True HEPA Air Purifiers Have Them

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.

Do True HEPA Air Purifiers Stop Particles That Others Don't?

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.

Do True HEPA Air Purifiers Become Less Effective 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 It A True HEPA Air Purifier? How To Know

The easiest way to tell is if the product is advertising that it is a true HEPA air purifier. There are also HEPA-type air purifiers which really have no exact standards to which they are held in regards to how tightly they filter the air. If the packaging says neither "true HEPA" or "HEPA-type", then look for the efficiency ratings. If it doesn't filter at least 97% of the all important 0.3 micron particles, then it's not a true HEPA air purifier.

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