Differences in Particulate Filters: Choosing the Right Air Filtration for Your Workspace

BenchVent offers a range of high-performance particulate filters designed to capture airborne particles produced during tasks such as soldering, spraying, and handling fine powders. These filters are categorized based on their filtration efficiency and the particle size they can effectively remove.

Choosing the right filter is critical for maintaining air quality, ensuring safety, and meeting industry standards—especially in regulated environments such as labs, workshops, or cleanrooms.

IFA – General Purpose Particulate Filters

• Particle Size: Up to 5 microns

• Efficiency: Moderate; captures general dust and spray particles

• Best For:

  • Art studios

  • Light-duty manufacturing

  • Educational workshops

• Overview: IFA filters are ideal for non-critical environments where general dust control is sufficient. Therefore, they are often used in applications where high filtration performance is not essential.

EPA – Fine Particle Filters (EU10 Rated)

• Particle Size: Less than 1 micron

• Efficiency: ≥85% filtration efficiency

• Best For:

  • Food processing areas

  • Pharmaceutical labs

  • Electronics manufacturing

• Overview: EPA filters deliver higher air purity for semi-critical environments. As a result, they are commonly used in industries where minimizing contamination is crucial.

HEPA – High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters

• Particle Size: Less than 0.3 microns

• Efficiency: ≥99.95% particle removal

• Best For:

  • Cleanrooms

  • Medical and biological labs

  • Necessary for critical environments where maximum filtration is required

• Overview: HEPA filters provide maximum filtration. Consequently, they are essential in critical settings where even the smallest airborne particles pose a serious threat.

🔹 Quick Comparison Table

How to Select the Right Filter

When choosing a BenchVent particulate filter, consider the following:

• The type and size of particles generated

• The desired air purity level

• Compliance with health and safety guidelines

First and foremost, identify the nature of the contaminants. Then, evaluate the level of cleanliness your application requires. Moreover, it’s important to factor in any industry-specific compliance standards.

For workplaces that require strict control of airborne contaminants, it’s crucial to understand and follow best practices. To that end, refer to the HSE guide on local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for detailed information on regulatory requirements and workplace safety standards.

In summary, selecting the correct particulate filter enhances both workplace safety and equipment performance. If you’re unsure, please do not hesitate to contact our experts for tailored advice and product recommendations.