What is a Medical-Grade HEPA 13 Filter?
Various types of technology utilize filters, including HVAC systems, vacuum cleaners, and air purifiers. However, not all filters are created equal. The type of filtration your technology uses will impact its performance and efficacy. So, if you invest in any filter-outfitted device, it’s worth educating yourself on certain types of filters and which ones you should be on the lookout for. In particular, you need to know about medical-grade HEPA 13 filters.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what medical-grade HEPA 13 filters are, how they’re different from their counterparts, and why they’re so important as part of your air purification system.
What is HEPA Filtration?
First, let’s back up a little and talk about HEPA filters in general.
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. This is a thick, pleated mechanical air filter. Think of it like the high walls of a castle. Its job is to keep the “bad guys” out.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a HEPA filter can, in theory, remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
This includes dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria — which can easily irritate your respiratory tract and cause other health complications. More on that in a minute!
The Almighty Medical-Grade HEPA 13 Filter
We’ve talked about what HEPA is, but what about the number 13? In a nutshell, this is simply a reflection of how good the filter is at targeting very tiny airborne particles.
You want to avoid confusing a true HEPA filter (10 and 12) with a medical-grade HEPA filter (13 or 14). A true HEPA filter can trap 95% to 99.5% of particles 0.1 microns in diameter. On the other hand, HEPA 13 filters can trap 99.95% of particles 0.1 microns in diameter. Amazingly, HEPA 14 filters trap 99.995%! Every fraction of a percentage point counts.
In a nutshell, the higher the number, the more powerful and efficient the filter will be.
Wait, What About MERV Ratings?
This is a little different but worth discussing.
MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting values. Similar to HEPA filtration, the higher the rating, the smaller the particles it can trap.
For instance, a filter with a MERV rating of 1 to 4 will only be able to target bigger particles like pollen and carpet fibers — particles that are bigger than 10 microns. This is a start but it’s not really enough.
Fortunately, medical-grade HEPA filters have much higher ratings. We’re talking about something in the arena of MERV 17 since they can capture particles as small as 0.1 microns in size.
So, is any filtration better than none? Sure. But if you’re going to make a point of bringing an air purifier into your home (or using a vacuum cleaner or any other filter-containing technology), why not utilize a device with the most capable filter available to you?
How a Medical-Grade HEPA 13 Filter Can Support Your Health
This isn’t all about fancy technology — although the ins and outs of HEPA filtration are pretty cool.
Leaning into more powerful HEPA filters is also important because when it comes to air purification systems, we’re talking about your health.
The particles floating around in the air you breathe at home can cause health issues ranging from pesky allergies to chronic and even debilitating lung and cardiovascular issues.
These threats are especially dangerous for pregnant women, babies and children, the elderly, and individuals already dealing with health challenges, like asthma and bronchitis.
Lifestyle Habits Can Make Things Worse!
While you can’t do much to control the outdoor air quality, certain things we do and the choices we make inside our homes can make matters worse.
For instance, cooking with a gas stove can release nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and methane into the air.
If you have pets that ever go outside, they can bring germs and bacteria back inside with them, in their fur and on their paws.
Does anyone in your home smoke? If so, everyone’s health is being compromised. Yes, even secondhand smoke is a severe threat. That smoke releases nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, benzene, arsenic, and formaldehyde into the air.
Even the most innocent things in your home can compromise your health. Candles made of paraffin wax release benzene and toluene when you burn them. These are both toxic carcinogens. In fact, they’re found in diesel fuel fumes.
Your cosmetics, air fresheners, and other home and personal care products can also be dangerous because they produce volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Short- and long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea and vomiting; headaches; dizziness; damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system (CNS); and even cancer.
No one can be perfect, but our point is that we do have some control over our indoor air quality. This is a good place to start, but we need to be leaning into technology to help get the job done.
Air Purification Technology is Your Greatest Ally
While it’s scary to feel like you can’t even trust the air you breathe — something so simple yet so vital — an air purification system can help.
An air purifier with a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter can help keep you and your family safe. Sans uses a revolutionary system of four layers of filtration: a pre-filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and pulses of UV-C light.
This system effectively eliminates pollutants, allergens, dust, dander, harmful chemicals, odors, and beyond. Plus, our SmartPure technology actually monitors your air quality in real-time and adjusts the filtration accordingly.
It runs as needed, covers a wide span of space (up to 1,560 square feet of space every hour), and will automatically notify you when the filter needs to be replaced. Plus, it’s what we like to call “meditation quiet,” so it won’t disturb you when you’re sleeping or working.
Combine small lifestyle changes with the power of air purification technology, and you and your family will breathe easily — literally.