This includes bacteria, some viruses, most insecticide dust, sneezing, asbestos, and more. An asbestos air filter is capable of trapping fibers on a microscopic scale, which means that its mesh fabric is very tight. Air filter fabric is rated in the Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) system, the tightest fabrics. When an air filter ranks too high on the MERV scale, this affects airflow and can lead to additional costs.
Your asbestos filters should be able to provide protection while remaining affordable for the average home. Airborne asbestos fibers are solid particles that vary in size between 0.7 and 90 microns, while HEPA air filters are designed to better absorb particles above and below 0.3 microns, so these devices have no problem capturing the tiny toxic fibers. In fact, HEPA air purifiers and HEPA vacuums, fully equipped with HEPA filters and securely sealed on both ends, are used by certified professionals, both indoors and outdoors, to remove asbestos, mold, lead and other irritants. However, while they are excellent at what they do, HEPA air filters can only do much if the original source of exposure is still inside the building and produces particles in the air.
With the recommendation of a MERV 13 or higher, does a MERV 13 filter meet your needs? A MERV 13 filter is a step in the right direction and captures more particles than a typical MERV 8 filter. However, it's not as good at capturing small virus-sized particles as a HEPA can. A MERV 13 will trap less than 75% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 microns in size (coronavirus is 0.1 microns). It is also difficult for many existing HVAC (HVAC) systems to adopt a MERV 13 because of the greater fan load of finer filter media, which can actually cause more harm than good and reduce airflow if your system is not designed to handle that type of filter.
On average, many installations are limited to one type of MERV 8 or MERV 9 filter. In general terms, MERV 8 filters or MERV 11 filters strike the right balance. They filter a lot of particles from the air to reduce exposure to allergens, toxins and irritants without costing your business too much. If you operate an industrial facility, a filter closer to MERV 13 could be beneficial in removing additional pollutants, such as smoke and smog, from the air.
HEPA filters are known for their ability to filter out some of the toughest particles, and that includes asbestos. Asbestos particles range from 0.7 to 90 microns, making HEPA filters effective in this task. In fact, in many commercial buildings, HEPA filters are mainly used for this purpose. However, it is important to note that air purifiers must be used multiple times to achieve optimal results.
It is also recommended that you speak with an asbestos removal specialist. Your home will need air filters capable of preventing particles as small as 3 microns from passing through to keep your air system safe. The best filter option is the one that best suits your needs depending on the environment and air quality. Your order can be modified to reflect the size, quantity, quality and even the periodic delivery rate of the air cleaner.
Since the HEPA air filter is, by design, capable of capturing only solid particles, it cannot purify the air of any gas, but it is capable of trapping the tiniest, most dangerous and difficult to trap solid particles, including, but not limited to, mold spores, bacterial and viral organisms, dust and dust mites, dander animals, smoke and asbestos. Air cleaner maintenance needs constant maintenance to avoid any incidents with air systems. The asbestos air filters in your ventilation, oven and HVAC system work by trapping and absorbing passing particles. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE, created the standardized Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale to make it easier to purchase an air filter.
For those who already have respiratory diseases, fresh, filtered air can improve their quality of life by eliminating most of the “triggers” of pollutants. You'll need to change your asbestos air filters over time to avoid problems related to a dirty filter. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air filters are indoor air filters that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or oven) filters. Air filters cannot pick up and choose what particles they extract from the passing airflow, but asbestos air filters are efficient enough to be able to block a wide range of particles in the air that they are trying to float.
Considering the threat posed by the spread of COVID-19 and other germs, upgrading a building's air filter to a HEPA is a much more effective step than just a MERV 13 considering the small size of a virus (0.06-0.12 microns); the more efficient the filter, the better. Here's a breakdown of MERV ratings so you understand what to expect when you buy a particular filter. . .
