May 10, 2019

Due to an increase in pollutants in our air, it is ever more important to protect your home, and public spaces from harmful pathogens that may cause health implications for you, your business, and your family. These pathogens are not just coming from outside of our homes, they are being brought into our homes, already in our homes, or thrive due to certain conditions in our homes. Pet dander, dust, dust mites, pollens, and some mold spores can be commonly found in indoor air. These tiny particles can cause coughing, wheezing, irritated eyes, irritated skin, and other health issues involved with the raspatory system. 

It is impossible to keep allergens and other airborne pathogens out of our homes, however, it doesn’t mean that we cannot combat them. To fight these harmful particles, we recommend utilizing air purifiers along with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter, or high-efficiency particulate absorber, is capable of removing up to 99.97 of airborne pathogens that are as small as 0.3 microns. Using a HEPA filter in you air purifier will eliminate most of the allergens and airborne microbes in your home by trapping them, and not allowing them to be released back into your air.

HEPA filters are built in a manner that will allow them to capture pollutants in three ways: interception, impaction, and diffusion. HEPA filters are woven tight with a thin material. This material is distributed in a random manner that allows it to create impossible paths for pollutants to escape. Creating a filter this way allows for the smallest of materials to be cleaned from your air. 

Interception occurs when a smaller particle travels through a filter. Particles that are removed with this process are so small that they are able to travel through the air’s streamline. When the radius of the particle is larger than the streamline and the edge of the fiber, the particle gets stuck to the fiber and is removed it from the air.  

Impaction takes place when a larger particle enters your filter. The particle is too big to follow the streamline, which causes the particle to travel in a straight path. Eventually, the particle will hit a fiber straight on, allowing the filter to capture the particle. 

Diffusion is the process that allows the filter to capture the smallest particles. These particles are so small that they do not adhere to the streamline. Instead, they bounce randomly due to contact with gas molecules. With this random movement, also know as the Brownian motion, the particle has a high chance to connecting with a fiber. 

The clean air provided by a HEPA filter can improve the quality of life of everyone in your home or business. Since HEPA filters are designed in such a way to capture the smallest of particles, they have the ability of reducing allergies, help with breathing issues, and remove harmful gasses from a living area. While they are not a cure all for keeping your air completely clean, HEPA filters are an excellent start to improving the air quality for you, your family, and everyone you host.