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   Air Filters
Air filters are touted to prevent a wide range of illnesses and problems. Before you buy air filters for your home or office, be sure to research a little because air filters can be very expensive, and cost does not always reflect effectiveness.
Filter Size: The filtration efficiency of an air filter (efficiency at capturing very small

particles and microbes) is very important. Generally, airborne pathogens increase in size from viruses (0.01 to 0.3 microns) to bacteria (0.2 microns) to fungi (1 to 20 microns).

Based on ASHRAE's Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating system for air filters in Standard 52.2-1000, "Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size":

»   Mechanical arrestance of fungi (spores) requires filters with MERVs of 9 to 12 (with up to 90% efficiency in the 3 to 10 micron range).
»   Mechanical arrestance of bacteria requires filters with MERVs of 13 to 16 (with up to 95% efficiency in the 0.3 to 1.0 micron range).
»   Mechanical arrestance of high percentages of viruses requires high efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filtration, beyond the range and outside the scope of the ASHRAE MERV rating tests.

Thanks to www.healthandenergy.com for filter info.




The American Lung Association's Factors to Consider Before Purchasing or Using an Air Cleaner is a must read for those considering purchasing expensive, and sometimes inferior, air filters.

Consumer Testing: In the May 1997 issue of "Choice", the Consumer Council discusses the results of its test of 26 household air cleaners.

Residential Air Cleaning Devices: A Summary of Available Information, an EPA publication, presents the type of air filters that are available and other valuable information

Dustless.com has Air Filter Efficiency Testing info.

The National Network for Health has a technical overview of air filters and discusses in particular ozone air filters.

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Site Updated August 2004