HEPA is the best known standard for air filters and it was a originally set by the Atomic Energy Commission for the purpose of assuring the ability of these filters to remove radioactive particles from an indoor atmosphere. Even though the original purpose of the rating has changed, the HEPA designation is still the industry-wide standard and HEPA air cleaners are sure to be effective at removing particulate pollution from the air.
In order to be HEPA certified, a filter must be able to trap 99.97% of the particulates in the air that are the size of 0.3 microns or larger. True Medical Grade HEPA must also be capable of removing 95% pollutants that are 0.1 microns and smaller.
HEPA air cleaners have been proven very effective over the years to reduce the irritants in the air that contribute to asthma, allergies and chronic sinusitis. A few of the more common particles that are effectively filter by HEPA air purifier units are mold spores, pollen, dust mite and dust mite feces, and pet dander.
Since homes have become more airtight, in efforts to improve energy efficiency and lower electrical consumption, this has lead to an interesting and unexpected condition: indoor air pollution. The level of indoor air pollution you experience in your home will vary, but if you have your doors and windows sealed tight against the weather it is no doubt a problem in your home environment, whether you can see it or not.
This factor is one of the reasons that the incidence of asthma and allergies has been sharply on the increase as well as some forms of cancer which are being linked to the quality of air in the home. HEPA air cleaners can help to drastically turn the odds in your favor by removing the vast majority of the the dangerous and toxic particulates that might have built up in your home.
And, you may think that your home is safe, that there are no toxins floating around in your air, that there is nothing in your home that could cause concern. However, if you use any aerosols and any type of cleaning products, there are miniscule particles from those products that are released and they are building up in your home every time you clean the stove, scrub the toilet, do a load of laundry, or any other type of cleaning that uses any type of chemical. Because of these facts, room air purifiers and especially HEPA air cleaners will likely become a very basic necessity in every home soon.
While HEPA air cleaners won't protect you or your family from every health concern that might beset you because of your home environment, you can reduce the risk of respiratory and sinus problems and often eliminate headaches that seem to have no cause, and can improve your sleep as well.
Most HEPA air cleaners these days are very energy efficient, which is helpful since they need to be running 24 hours a day in order to be effective. However, the replacement of filters can be costly over the years, so before you decide what which model to buy, be sure to also compare the cost of the replacement filters.
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