Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

Which of the following air cleaning devices is known to remove small particles from the air?

1. Electrostatic filter

2. Fiberglass filter

3. HEPA filter

4. Pleated filter

The correct answer is: HEPA filter

The HEPA filter is recognized for its ability to remove small particles from the air, making it an essential component in various air cleaning applications. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, and filters that meet the HEPA standard must capture at least 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter or larger. This capability is crucial in environments where air quality is paramount, such as hospitals, laboratories, and homes with allergy sufferers. When it comes to effectiveness against very small particles, HEPA filters are superior to many other types of filters. While electrostatic filters and pleated filters can also capture particles, they typically do not reach the same level of efficiency as HEPA filters when dealing with small particulates, especially those in the 0.3-micron range. Fiberglass filters are primarily used for pre-filtration and may not effectively remove smaller particles as well as HEPA filters do. Thus, the recognition of HEPA filters as highly effective in removing small airborne particles establishes their significance in air purification systems.