What Is HEPA Filtration?

How HEPA Filters Work

• The HEPA filter is made of tightly woven glass fibers. These glass fibers look like paper and create a filter that consists of small sieves that can capture extremely small particles. Contaminates that are trapped in the filter are unable to move back into circulation. Rather, the particles are absorbed into the pores of the HEPA air filter.

True HEPA

• True HEPA is a marketing term that has been created to help promote products. Filters have to meet specific efficiency standards to be qualified as HEPA filters. These are industry standards, meaning that all HEPA filters work to the same level of efficiency.

Maintenance

• HEPA filters don't require maintenance. Efficiency of HEPA filters is not affected over time by continued use. Studies have actually proven that HEPA filters will have improved efficiency over time. However, HEPA filters should be replaced every three to five years depending on the level of use. A HEPA filter that is allowed to become too full of particles will fail in allowing the air to pass through the filter.

History of the HEPA Filter

• The first HEPA filters were created during World War II. The purpose of these early HEPA filters was to remove radioactive particles from the air in manufacturing plants. From these beginnings the HEPA filter has been improved and made available for a variety of everyday uses.

Where HEPA Filters are Used

• Often vacuums and home air purifiers are the first things thought of when considering the common uses of HEPA filtration. However, HEPA filters are also used in hospital operating rooms and burn centers where sterility is vital. Manufacturers use HEPA filters in areas where dust can damage products such as around computer chips, and airlines use them in airplanes to remove airborne contaminates to keep the confined air of the plane healthy.