What does HEPA stand for?

The term HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. This classification refers to a type of air filter that meets specific efficiency standards in capturing airborne particles. To qualify as a HEPA filter, it must remove at least 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size from the air that passes through it. This is especially important in environments where air quality is critical, such as in hospitals, laboratories, and during asbestos removal projects, where controlling airborne particulates is vital for health and safety.

Understanding the importance of HEPA filters is crucial for asbestos project monitors, as these filters are essential in minimizing exposure to hazardous fibers during remediation or demolition work. The terminology used in the other options does not accurately represent the standard or function of HEPA filters, which is specifically tailored to measure air quality in terms of particulate matter efficiently filtered from the air.