Air Purifier 101: Your information guide to air purifiers

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HEPA-Filter Air Purifiers

HEPA-filter air purifiers can remove a large amount of dust and other particles from the air. Such air purifiers use a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. HEPA air filter purification is also recommended by the Department of Homeland Security.

Always look for "true HEPA" instead of "HEPA-type", which is significantly less effective. A newer type of HEPA filter is the Ultra-HEPA (ULPA), which will remove 99.999% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.

Often, HEPA air purifiers also use an activated carbon filter to help neutralize and remove chemicals, gases, odors and smoke from the air, which the HEPA filter cannot capture.

• Tip: Consider getting a unit with a pre-filter. The pre-filter can trap the larger particles, thus not clogging up the pores of the activated carbon or HEPA air filters for the smaller-sized particles and pollutants.