UV-C Sanitizer or HEPA filter?
Updated: Mar 31, 2022
There is a lot of conflicting data out there right now; do you buy a UV-C sanitiser or do you buy a HEPA air purifier/filter unit?
I know that from personal experience here at Atmos-Clear we all have friends and family that have been bombarded with so many buying options and are confused with the difference between an AIR UV-C sanitiser and an air purifier. Normally a quick conversation highlighting the science clears up any confusion - so today I thought I would share with you all the science in support of my answer.
One of the questions that we are always asked is "will a HEPA filter air purifier protect me against Covid-19?"
In response to this question; Buy an AIR UV-C sanitiser from Atmos-Clear as size really does matter, in particular the size of Covid-19 virions.
So here's why, it's simple science, if a HEPA filter can filter particles to 0.3 microns, and Covid-19 virions are the sized 0.06 to 0.14 microns, they will pass right through a HEPA filter
and continue to circulate in the air around you.
Unlike a device that relies on costly HEPA filters, the AIR UV-C sanitiser destroys the DNA and RNA of pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, moulds and fungi, rendering them 'disrupted' and unable to reproduce. The air that exits the unit is not only clean air, but continually cleaning air, as the disrupted DNA and RNA latches on and kills pathogenic microorganisms to create a sanitised environment.
Just plug it in for up to 5 years of continuous use with no costly add ons or extras.
If you want more of the science, the sources used can be found below by clicking on the links:
According to The Lancet, medical journal, Electron microscopy of SARS-CoV-2: a challenging task Covid-19 virions have been measured in two different studies with the following results:
0.06 microns to 0.14 microns
0.07 microns to 0.11 microns
https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2931185-5
HEPA filters 0.3 microns
The science is very clear here, and there is lots of documentation to support it....In fact the United States Environmental Protection Agency have a whole bunch of information on what HEPA filters are capable of.
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter-1
HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter. It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. of Energy). This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3* microns (µm). *(only if using a grade 14 or 16 filter)
Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter-1
What is a MERV rating?
MERV is an industry standard "Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value" and is used to rate the effectiveness of air filters.