| HEPA filters were developed by the US military during | | | | particles. They are not so effective in large areas, |
| the World War II. The Manhattan Project that designed | | | | neither are they reusable. Nevertheless, it outperforms |
| the atomic bomb also developed this filter. This device | | | | other filters in the market in terms of overall |
| helps make the air we breathe cleaner and safe from | | | | effectiveness. |
| harmful particles. | | | | HEPA furnace filters are for heating units. It comes in |
| The United States Department of Energy officially | | | | various sizes to fit your heaters all winter long. Check |
| called these improved devices HEPA filters. The | | | | with the air conditioning and heating shops to confirm if |
| acronym HEPA means High Efficiency Particulate Air. | | | | it is the right size. There are accessories for HEPA |
| Some of the industries using it are the aerospace, | | | | vacuum cleaners offered commercially. |
| hospitals, pharmaceutical processing, healthcare, | | | | You could get accessories to improve the cleaning |
| nuclear power and nuclear fuels. The good thing is this | | | | performance of the vacuum like a filter replacement, |
| efficient HEPA air filters are now being used at home. | | | | exhaust filter, replacement paper bag, and ULPA filter |
| These are standard filters that can be bought in the | | | | cartridge. Crevice nozzle, 10 inch silicone hose, Straight |
| form of cartridges. These are now being utilized for | | | | SS wands, stainless steel wands, autoclave-safe floor |
| persons with medical conditions like hay fever, asthma, | | | | nozzle, and silicone curved crevice nozzle are also |
| and other allergies. Some medical specialty stores also | | | | included. |
| offer these items. Hardware, paint stores and industrial | | | | Researchers found out in a recent study that HEPA |
| safety supplies vendors also use it to freshen up the | | | | filters improve cardiovascular heath of non-smoking |
| air from unwanted chemicals. | | | | elderly individuals. Filtration greatly reduced the amount |
| These products can eliminate up to 99.97 percent of | | | | of dust particles in air for 48 hours and made better |
| particles in the air. These air filters can remove as little | | | | the microvascular function (MVF) of healthy senior |
| as 0.3 microns of airborne particles. A vacuum cleaner | | | | citizens, according to Professor Steffen Loft, of |
| using HEPA filter can clean even the microscopic dust | | | | Copenhagen Institute of Public Health. |
| and germs. Various air cleaning and air purification | | | | The study suggests these filter products for indoor air |
| devices use this type of filters. | | | | filtration can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. |
| The tiny glass fibers make-up greatly helps in the | | | | The work was printed in the February issue of the |
| functionality. These fibers are woven into tightly | | | | American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care |
| compressed paper filter. The process provides | | | | Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society. |
| numerous tiny sieves that trap the microscopic | | | | The researchers conducted the study in the residence |
| particles. The captured particles including | | | | of 21 non-smoking 60 to 75 year old couples. The area |
| microorganisms are stuck to the filter's absorbent | | | | was near heavily trafficked routes. The research |
| pores. | | | | workers measured the MVF as well as the ambient |
| HEPA air filters clean the air of dust mite allergens, | | | | airborne particles. |
| animal dander, pollen, dust, and smoke. It can trap | | | | Each home was installed with air purifiers for a couple |
| some molds, spores and viruses. But they cannot | | | | of 48-hour periods. The purifier was fitted with HEPA |
| neutralize bacteria. Several air filters in the market | | | | air filter during one period. And the other period, it was |
| feature ultra-violet light. The UV light system kills mold, | | | | not equipped with. The study showed that the device |
| fungi, bacteria, and viruses. | | | | decreased the fine, ultra-fine and coarse air particles |
| It also cannot be used without motorized fans. The air | | | | by 60 percent. |
| must flow through the filter to clean the air of tiny | | | | |