High Efficiency Particle Accumulator, or simply HEPA filters, are high-quality air filters. They are designed to filter out extremely fine solid particles from the air. HEPA filters are specialized devices and have to meet very high standards of air purifying.
According to the United States Department of Energy, a standard HEPA filter is required to filter out 99.97% particles in the air with sizes, at least, as small as 0.3 microns.
Despite the high efficiency of HEPA filters at cleaning tiny particles from the air, they are incapable of capturing or detecting gaseous particles. Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas, and if spread in high quantity, it is outright fatal. Due to its colorless, odorless nature, it is nearly impossible to detect its contamination by individuals exposed to it. It brings us to the question, do HEPA filters remove carbon monoxide? They don't; let's discuss why that is the case below.
HEPA filters do NOT remove carbon monoxide
Although HEPA filters are possibly the most popularly reliable home appliance for air purification, they have their limitations. HEPA filters do not possess the technology to remove carbon monoxide from the air. Here are a few reasons why:
- Gas particles are in a completely different state and drastically smaller than solid particles.
- Carbon monoxide particles have a diameter of fewer than 0.001 microns on average, which is significantly smaller than the 0.3 microns particle detection capability of HEPA filters.
- HEPA filters are not modeled upon the principle of capturing gaseous particles from the air.
Precautionary measures to prevent a carbon monoxide leak in your home
As we mentioned, carbon monoxide is a lethal disease and can't be detected due to its colorless and odorless properties. Here are a few precautionary measures that you can regularly take at home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Keep the vents of your home appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, heaters, and generators, etc. clear at all times
- Keep a routine of regular maintenance and, if possible, get your home inspected annually by professionals
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home with an efficient alarming system that can immediately alert you of a possible leak
Conclusion
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the indoor air quality of homes is likely to be ten times more polluted than the outdoor air. Therefore, it is essential to have high-efficiency air filtering systems in our homes, workplaces, schools, and other widely-used public indoor spaces.
HEPA filters clean out dust particles, spores, molds, and often even bacteria from the air. They improve the overall quality of indoor air and are a comforting aid for people who have asthma, dust allergies, or any other respiratory issues. However, despite the claims of many HEPA filter manufacturing companies, these filters are not capable of removing carbon monoxide from the air.
