By Michelle Octa and J. C./ Photo by Nita on Pexels.com
You have probably heard a lot about HEPA purifiers, especially during the days when COVID hit the world the hardest. A HEPA purifier is an air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a HEPA filter cleans away 99.97 percent of the dust, mold, pollen, bacteria, and airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
Some reports and findings claimed that HEPA air cleaners help remove coronavirus airborne particles from the air. USA Today wrote that while the size of coronavirus is around 0.1 microns, it does not travel alone. COVID-19 particles are bonded to biological material, including water droplets and mucus protein generated by breathing, talking, and coughing– all of which are larger than 1 micron.
Nature also published a finding that tested the efficiency of HEPA filters in a hospital setting. The research found COVID particles in the air when the HEPA filter was off but not when it was on. Because of that, a HEPA purifier became one of the hottest items during the outbreak of COVID.
Although life is getting normal as the pandemic eases, a HEPA purifier may still be helpful, particularly in those three ways.
A HEPA air cleaner protects your fragile loved ones
Research conducted by JAMA Network Open revealed that more than half of the people who contracted COVID were not from seemingly ill patients but from those without symptoms.
So although anyone can fall victim to COVID, some show symptoms while others do not. And some can become gravely ill, while others recover without even noticing it.
If you are physically stronger but live with people of weaker health, buying a HEPA purifier is almost an act of love to your loved ones.
A HEPA air purifier reduces your chances of becoming allergic
Air pollution has become part of our daily lives and comes in different forms. Dust, smoke, pet dander, and mold spores can cause serious health problems if you or your family have allergies or asthma. A HEPA purifier traps allergens by forcing air through a fine mesh and minimizes the occurrence of allergies.
A HEPA air purifier helps fight against wildfire smoke
For several months a year in places like North America and Australia, forest fires cause cities to become hazy. Floating in the smoky air is fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which leads to health hazards like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The University of Washington cited research saying that HEPA purifiers, if appropriately selected, could reduce 40 percent of PM2.5 particles in homes during the wildfire season.
How to choose a HEPA purifier?
Clean air delivery rate, or CADR, is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a HEPA air cleaner. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which developed the CADR ratings, explains that “CADR indicates the volume of filtered air an air cleaner delivers, with separate scores for tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. The higher the CADR number for each pollutant, the faster the unit filters the air.”
What is equally important is to take into consideration the room coverage of the HEPA air cleaner. Make sure you know the room size before purchasing so the HEPA purifier can do the most efficient job.
While a HEPA purifier is not an elixir for all respiratory health problems, it helps lower the chances of diseases and allergies caused by airborne viruses, pollen, dust, and smoke. If we compare medical expenses with the price of an air purifier, the latter is not only a lot cheaper but a worthy investment at the end of the day.
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