Will an HEPA Air Purifier Clear Smoke?

HEPA air purifiers are designed to remove all types of particles from the air. One of the most common household contaminants is ordinary cigarette smoke. Other contaminants are pet dander, unpleasant odors, and the attackers you can't see, mold, fungus, and pollen. Better than any other type of air purifier, a HEPA system is able to remove all of these problems, and more.

What is a HEPA Filter?

At the heart of a HEPA air purifier is the HEPA filter itself. In no uncertain terms, this is currently the best type of air filtration available. HEPA filters are approved for use by both the EPA and OSHA, regarded as the most effective means of removing hazardous particles from the air of factories and shops where dust and chemicals are prevalently used.

How were HEPA Filters Invented?

This type of filter was originally designed by the United States government after World War II, and was created under certain specifications. Because it was intended to remove tiny radioactive particles from the air of nuclear power plants, a HEPA filter must be able to strain particles as small as 3/10 of a micron in size. Because it was developed using taxpayer funds, the HEPA filter was subsequently released to public manufacturing, and is used today by many different companies, for a variety of air filtering purposes.

HEPA Filters, Smoke, and Polle

For second-hand smoke removal, HEPA is excellent. It is also great for removing pollens, bacteria, and pet dander, among many other contaminants. HEPA has the distinction of being the only air filtration that is prescribed for use in homes with asthmatics or people with a high susceptibility to pollen or bacteria.

HEPA Filters and Odor Removal

For odor removal, a HEPA system works well, but it could be more effective if coupled with a charcoal filtration system. The reason for this is because many odors are actually only a molecule in size, which is even smaller than the tiny sized particles a HEPA filter can remove.

Because of this, the HEPA may need some assistance with chemically based odors, but it will do well with typical compounds. When it comes to filtration, size is the only thing that matters, and if a HEPA filter can't remove particles, then the air needs to be filtered in a different manner than direct straining.

HEPA Filters are EPA Registered

No other filtering system is registered with the EPA as a dependable air purifier. Other types of devices may claim to be the best, but once you get right down to the facts, only HEPA has been shown to work as promised. For the home user, this certification may not mean much, but in a factory or on a job site, POSHA regulations may prohibit the use of any air filtration that does not filter as well as HEPA, especially in places where the use of chemicals is common, or where a large amount of dust is being generated regularly. HEPA filters not only remove smoke, they remove most of the other contaminants as well.