What is a HEPA filter? Why do I need one?
By
government standard, a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter
must remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particles measuring 0.3 microns
in diameter.
A micron is one millionth of a meter or 1/25,400 of an inch. Unlike
standard HVAC filters, HEPA filters must meet their minimum efficiency
even brand new.
So called BioHEPA filters, or those called by similar terms, generally
are 95% efficient on 0.3 micron particles. While this sounds like
a similar efficiency, they will actually allow to pass over 100 times
(5% vs. 0.03%) as many of these fine particles as a HEPA filter.
Fine particles can have a particularly serious impact on human health.
Larger particles are effectively filtered by the hairs in our noses'
preventing them from entering our bodies.
However, fine particulates evade this barrier, allowing them to reach
internal organs. Because of this, the federal government has imposed
strict new limits on fine particulates under the latest revisions
to the Clean Air Act.
Equally important as the efficiency of the filter is the design of
the holding device. A poor seal will allow air to bypass the filter.
Remember, filter efficiency on bypassed air is zero.
The NQ Commercial Clarifier
employs a true HEPA filter and uses a well engineered gasketing system
that even employs the weight of the fan deck and suction of the system
to help seal the filter and prevent bypass.
