Even though smaller than 0.3 microns, HEPA filters can remove?

HEPA filters, which stand for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, are designed to capture a high percentage of very small particles, including those smaller than 0.3 microns. In fact, HEPA filters can trap at least 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size, and they effectively capture even smaller particles due to the mechanisms of interception, diffusion, and inertial impaction.

Viruses, generally in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 microns, can be effectively removed by HEPA filters. This is particularly relevant in settings such as hospitals and laboratories where air quality is critical for health. The efficiency of HEPA filters makes them a reliable choice for environments that require the minimal transmission of pathogens and other microscopic pollutants.

While pollen, dust particles, and smoke particles can also be removed by HEPA filters, they are typically larger than the 0.3 microns threshold and thus are not as challenging to filter out. However, viruses represent a significant concern due to their small size, making HEPA filters an important tool in controlling airborne viral transmission.