If you're shopping for a new air purifier or vacuum cleaner, you'll likely come across the term 'HEPA filter'. HEPA stands for 'high efficiency particulate air' [filter], and it's a standard for filter effectiveness.
To be called a HEPA filter, a filter must meet stringent standards in terms of what it can capture from the air that passes through it. This type of pleated, mechanical filter can be effective against a wide variety of airborne pollutants, including dust and dirt, pollen, and even viruses.
