What is a Medical Grade HEPA filter?
HEPA filters known as High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance filters were originally developed to filter fine radioactive particles. A HEPA filter will filter with a minimum efficiency 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and 95% of particles 0.1 microns.
With 1 micron measuring just 0.001mm and the smallest particle visible to the naked eye being 40 microns. 0.3 microns is many times smaller than dust mites, mould spores, pet allergens and pollen.
HEPA filters are widely used in medical applications, clean rooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing and any environment where clean or sterile conditions are required.
With HEPA technology now being used in home air purifiers, allergy sufferers can benefit greatly in being able to control the quality of the air they breathe.
Medical grade HEPA filters are made from highly efficient filter paper. The paper is folded in a concertina configuration to maximise the surface area of the filter and allow air to flow through with minimal resistance.
There is a certain ratio of filter paper volume to airflow which must be followed in the construction of the filter, if there is not enough filter paper, efficiency will not be to HEPA standards.
The filter paper is bonded airtight inside a filter casing made from steel or plastic. HEPA filters are delicate, they cannot be vacuumed or cleaned but due to the considerable surface area of the filter element they will generally last 3 years or more.
HEPA filters must also have an airtight seal or gasket on the external face of the casing to prevent air from bypassing around the filter.
Air bypass is a common problem with air purifiers, where due to lack of a proper seal or where a seal is compromised, air bypasses around the filter resulting in efficiency being a fraction of the stated 99.97%.
All InovaAirŪ air purifiers are factory certified to filter 99.97% @ 0.3 microns efficiency.
Able to be freestanding or ducted to equipment with attachments available in any size and is suitable for any number of applications.
NB: Most residential HEPA air purifiers sold in Australia do not conform to medical HEPA grade standards, either due to the filter casing being made from the incorrect material such as cardboard, or lack of a proper filter seal.