Why HEPA Filter Vacuums are Essential for your Health

Explore the unexpected health benefits of this essential cleaning tool

Today’s HEPA filter vacuums are major tools for maintaining healthy commercials spaces, preserving higher indoor air quality. First developed to manage radioactive contamination for the Manhattan Project during World War II, this powerful filtering technology allows modern vacuums to absorb pollutants from surfaces more effectively than ever. To be considered HEPA grade (which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air), the filter must use layers of filtration to remove 99.97 percent of particles greater than or equal to 0.3 microns. Here, we look at the technology’s numerous benefits for common health concerns.

Allergies and Asthma:

For common respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma, HEPA filters are often the first line of defense. These filters trap common irritants when forced through a fine mesh that captures fine dust, dust mites, mole spores and pollen. HEPA filters are especially crucial when vacuuming, as regular vacuums can worsen air quality by disturbing particles deeply lodged into textured surfaces such as carpeting. A HEPA vacuum will trap these air pollutants as it cleans.

Flu:

Common surface cleaning solutions are excellent for sanitizing hard surfaces, but generally prove less effective for removing viral germs from soft surfaces such as carpets and upholstery. The best HEPA vacuums fill in this gap, sanitizing as well as they clean. Studies have shown that these filters can remove nearly 98 percent of flu virus particles. Conventional vacuums are most likely to recirculate germs back into the air.

Cardiovascular Health:

The air-clarifying power of HEPA vacuum cleaners seems intuitive, but did you know this technology may also impact your cardiovascular health? Research shows a strong correlation between use of HEPA filtration and improved blood circulation. Experiments suggest that cleaner air quality reduces potential inflammation of the lungs and blood vessels, which would in turn improve their vascular performance.