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HEPA Air Filtration & Respiratory Disease

Both indoor and outdoor air pollutants can wreak havoc on the lungs and respiratory tract---especially in people who suffer from respiratory disease. As problems develop within the respiratory system, breathing difficulties can become worse over time. HEPA filters are designed to filter out air pollutants more efficiently than ordinary air filters, which can improve overall breathing capacity.

  1. Respiratory Disease

    • The respiratory system includes the lungs, bronchial tubes, tracheae, throat and nasal passages. Respiratory diseases can involve any one or more of these areas and encompass many conditions that obstruct air flow or reduce lung capacity. Genetic predispositions, infections and lifestyle habits, such as smoking, are some of the factors that can contribute to problems of the respiratory system. Airborne particles also play a part in aggravating symptoms.

    HEPA Filters

    • "HEPA" is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air" filter. As the name implies, these filters remove particles from the air. Each filter is made up of densely packed fiberglass fibers that form a mat-like surface. Advertised as having a 99.97 percent efficiency rate, these filters are designed to trap particles like dust, pollen, mold and bacteria. HEPA filters can be used in home heating and air conditioning systems, as well as in vacuum cleaners.

    Effects

    • As the bronchial tubes, lungs, throat and nasal passages are primary entryways for incoming air, certain particles, such as dust or pollen, can significantly impair a person's ability to breathe when respiratory disease is present. If enough are present in the air, these particles---also known as allergens---can cause considerable discomfort in the healthiest of respiratory systems. Those who suffer from asthma or allergies may experience coughing, watery eyes, difficulty breathing and full-blown asthma attacks. Though not all conditions are affected by particulates, the ones that are may benefit from a filtered air-exchange system.

    Asthma and Allergies

    • Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that as many as 16.4-million Americans suffered from asthma in 2008, and 18-million suffered from allergies. Symptoms associated with asthma and allergies include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest. HEPA-filter advertisements target individuals with asthma and allergy symptoms, because of the potential improvement that filtering airborne particulates can have on these conditions. But, while HEPA filters can remove certain particles from the air, different body chemistries may or may not benefit, depending on individual sensitivities to different particle types.

    Considerations

    • HEPA filters are designed specifically to catch particles that reside in the air. Heavy particles, such as dust mites and mold spores, quickly fall from the air because of their weight. HEPA filters are unable to capture dust mites and mold spores once they've fallen to the ground. These larger particles tend to rest on open surfaces, such as furniture, counter tops and rugs. Keeping surfaces clean can work to improve air quality and help to control some of the sources of airborne particles.

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