Electronic air cleaner buying guide: "About the Top Air Purification Technologies:
Hepa Air Filtration
Summary. Hepa air filters are the most efficient type of air filter available. They are 99.97% effective at removing particles as small as 0.3 microns. Hepa air filters were developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during the second World War to remove radio active dust from their plants, and are recommended by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
Hepa Air Filter Strengths:
Removal of dust, pollens, mold spores, dust mites, and other allergens.
Removal of many bacteria.
Solid particles captured are not released into the air again.
Hepa Air Filter Weaknesses:
Difficult time removing airborne particles from across the room, since they must be drawn through the filter.
Do not remove chemical fumes, gases, cigarette smoke or odors.
Do not capture ultra-fine particles, viruses or germs.
Micro-organisms captured in filter can breed and/or reproduce, resulting in increased micro-organism populations.
Technologies that Compliment Hepa Air Filters:
Ionizer to cause finer particles to magnetically attach together, making them easier to capture, and to better remove airborne particles from across the room, since ions can be circulated.
Activated Carbon Air Filter to capture the chemicals, fumes, and cigarette smoke that Hepa filters cannot.
Germicidal UV Lamp to destroy viruses and germs that are not captured by Hepa air filters, and that also prevent micro-organisms trapped in the Hepa filter from breeding and/or reproducing.
Ozone Generator to remove odors that are unaffected by Hepa air filters. Should be able to be turned completely off.
The Surround Air 'Multi-Tech' Air Purifier using Hepa Air Filter, Ionizer, Germicidal UV Lamp, and Ozone Generator that can be "