HEPA is a popular household name as its full form is High Efficiency Particulate Arresting air purifiers. These air purifiers are used for the removal of minute particles that are found in the air and so help in the “cleaning” of air around you. This reduces the risk of allergies for many.

HEPA air purifiers use materials that are made of polymers or fibers. The microscopic particles suspended in air are trapped by the material. Other than that, mold spores and various bacteria and viruses are trapped by HEPA air purifiers. There are various brands in the market that offer HEPA air purifiers in the market. These air purifiers are about 99.97% efficient. They can filter particles that are small up to 0.3 microns. The air purifiers purify air which flows through them and hence, this claim made by the companies may not be valid. There are indeed some HEPA air purifiers that are designed ineffectively and allow passage of air from the room within its filter and back into the room, without purging the impurities suspended in it.

HEPA air purifiers also use material made out of activated carbon. The activated carbon filters absorb chemicals, gases and odors. The material may either be a thin sheet of activated carbon or pounds of compressed activated carbon in containers.

HEPA air purifiers are frequently seen in vacuum cleaners as they are beneficial for people suffering from allergies, like asthma and they can also trap dust mites feces and pollen which causes allergic reactions to many.

However during purchase customers should be careful to avoid similar products, which are not genuine HEPA filters, also called as ‘Sealed HEPA’. Many of these imitations are very similar in naming and are often advertised as HEPA type or HEPA-like or sometimes even labeled as 99% HEPA. These products are only imitations and can never yield the results that are given by true HEPA filters as these are intelligently designed to prevent air leaks.

Learn more about personal air purifiers. Everything you need to know about buying indoor air purifiers.