| How To Choose The Best HEPA Filter Vacuum | | | | 125 micrometers, do not cause allergic reactions, but |
| Cleaner | | | | rather it is an allergen contained in their fecal matter. |
| A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration | | | | "True" HEPA Vacuums must meet several strict |
| vacuum cleaner is a necessary tool to minimize the | | | | requirements: the machine must be "Sealed" and the |
| effects of allergens and other indoor air pollutants. This | | | | HEPA filter must be "DOP Tested" to a certain |
| is especially important for those with allergies and/or | | | | minimum "Filter Efficiency". |
| health conditions such as asthma. The term HEPA is | | | | "Sealed" vacuums utilize a gasket to seal against air |
| used to market a wide variety of vacuum cleaners, | | | | flow leakage between the motor lid and tank. If a |
| and can sometimes be confusing. | | | | vacuum is not sealed, and a HEPA filter is added, then |
| "True" HEPA filtration should capture a minimum | | | | the air flow will take the path of least resistance, which |
| 99.97% of particles one-third of one micrometer in size. | | | | is between the vacuum components and not through |
| Most allergenic particles are between 0.8 to 24 | | | | the dense HEPA filter. |
| micrometers in size or even smaller when disturbed. | | | | "DOP Testing" introduces a cloud of 0.3 micro |
| These particles are quite small even compared to a | | | | diameter particulates into the intake side of the filter |
| human hair which is approximately 100 micrometers | | | | under test. In order to pass this test, no more than |
| thick. | | | | 0.03% of the particulates may be observed leaking |
| Small particles can easily reach the deepest recesses | | | | through the exhaust side of the filter. |
| of the lungs and cause a wide range of negative | | | | The HEPA "Filter Efficiency" defines what percentage |
| health effects, such as aggravated asthma, acute | | | | of what size particulates are expected to be |
| respiratory symptoms including aggravated coughing | | | | entrapped within the HEPA filter, and not exhausted. |
| and painful or difficult breathing, eye/nose/throat | | | | To ensure that you are using a "True" HEPA Vacuum |
| irritation, respiratory infections and chronic bronchitis, | | | | Cleaner that will protect you, your family and guests, |
| decreased lung function, shortness of breath, and lung | | | | look for a vacuum that is "Sealed" and "DOP Tested" |
| cancer. | | | | to a minimum 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 micros. |
| "True" HEPA filtration should not be confused with | | | | An excellent choice for a "True" HEPA Vacuum |
| descriptions like "traps 100% of dust mites, ragweed | | | | Cleaner is the Euroclean Model UZ934-H. |
| and common grass pollens". Dust mites, which average | | | | |