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HEPA filters are composed of a randomly arranged fiber mat. The key
issues affecting their function are fiber density and diameter, and
filter thickness. The air space between HEPA filter fibers is much
greater than 0.3 µm. The common assumption that a HEPA filter acts
like a sieve where particles smaller than the largest opening can pass
through is incorrect. Just as for membrane filters, particles so large
that they are as wide as the largest opening or distance between fibers
can not pass in between them at all. But HEPA filters are designed to
target much smaller pollutants and particles are mainly trapped (they
stick to a fiber) by one of the following three mechanisms:
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