What is HEPA filter and why it is necessary for an air purifier?

by Amili R. SEO

The trend of buying an air purifier is quite new and this might be the reason why people are a bit hesitant towards it. As air pollution is making havoc everywhere, its high time people should look for alternative ways to curb the menace of air pollution. It is not feasible for them to clean the environment on their own but they can do their bit and ensure that the air present in their home remains fresh and healthy.

Millions of people suffer from hazardous diseases caused by contaminated air. It’s also found to be linked to adverse effects for the children of pregnant mothers, like pre-term births, asthma and autism. Keeping in mind the disastrous health risks associated with inhaling polluted air, buying the best air purifier emerges like a no-brainer. In fact, experts say specific kinds can be quite helpful. But when it comes to one popular kind of purifier—so-called “ionizers”—the risks may outweigh the rewards.

But before you go out to buy one, there are some cautions to consider. Unless you’re using them in a very limited space, these ionizers don’t perform very well. This is why using an air purifier emerges out as a feasible way to give a breath of health to you and your loved ones. For best results, experts recommend using a product with HEPA filter.

HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air is a kind of filter that is meant to eliminate 99.9% of particles above a specific size—a standard set by the Department of Energy. Today there are many air purifiers available in the market that come with such kind of filter that can clean your indoor air of stuff that can trigger or worsen allergies and asthma.

Atoms vary from ultra-microscopic to totally detectable to the human eye. Microns, which are one-millionth of a meter, are how particles are analyzed. For a better idea of the size of a micron, or less than a micron, just remember that we see anything less than 10 microns. Bacteria can be everywhere from 0.3 to 60 microns, and 1 inch equals 25,400 microns.

HEPA filters ruse air contaminants in an intricate network of fibers. Basis the size of the particle, this can occur in four different ways: Inertial Impaction, Diffusion, Interception, or Sieving. Larger particles are trapped through inertial impaction and sieving. The particles either strike with the fibers and become trapped or are trapped while striving to travel through the fibers. Medium sized particles, as they traverse through the filter, are attracted by the fibers through interception. Smaller particles are dissipated as they travel through the filter and ultimately collide with a fiber and are trapped.