HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the highest efficiency air filters available for the filtration of small particles. Defined by the Institute of Environmental Science, a Certified HEPA filter must capture a minimum of 99.97% of contaminants at 0.3 microns in size.

The first HEPA filters were developed in the 1940's by the USA Atomic Energy Commission to full-fill a top-secret need for an efficient, effective way to filter radioactive particulate contaminants. They were needed as part of the Manhattan Project, which was the development of the atomic bomb. The first HEPA air filters were very bulky compared to the HEPA air filters that are produced today. HEPA filter technology was declassified after World War 2 and then allowed for commercial and residential use.

HEPA air filters have been traditionally used in hospital operating and isolation rooms, pharmaceutical and computer chip manufacturing, as well as in other applications requiring "Absolute" Filtration. Today HEPA air cleaners, vacuum cleaners and air filters are used in a wide variety of critical filtration applications in the nuclear, electronic, aerospace, pharmaceutical and medical fields. HEPA air cleaners, vacuum cleaners and air filters are required by law to be used in all equipment for asbestos, lead, toxic chemical and mold abatement. These HEPA filtered products must meet the strict Military Standard 282 HEPA filtration efficiency test.

TODAY: HEPA filtered air cleaners, air purifiers and vacuum cleaners are highly recommended for all allergy and asthma sufferers.

A great resource for your HEPA air cleaner / air purifier needs can be found at http://www.air-purifiers.net/