April 4, 2003—Security on homeland soil is gaining momentum as the public looks for ways to add a measure of protection in this time of war. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggests a variety of safety measures, including the use of portable HEPA air purifiers to help address potential airborne particles from terrorism threats.
Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., author of Protect Yourself Against Bioterrorism, is the director of Clinical Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology at the Tisch Hospital, New York University Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center. “Without question, using a HEPA filter gives you an added degree of security,” Tierno said.
“HEPA filters are used in operating rooms, ICUs, and in a wide variety of surgical areas to purify the air,” said Tierno. “HEPA filtration is not only quick and effective, but it’s relatively inexpensive. When properly used it’s one of the best means of helping to ensure good, quality air.”
“HEPA Air purifiers can be a sensible and affordable means of helping clean the air and therefore offer families a moderate level of added protection in the event of a terrorist threat,” said Tom Griffin, a director of the Indoor Air Quality Association with a PhD in environmental health. HEPA filters are designed to trap 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size or larger from the air passing through them.
The device uses a fan to draw contaminated air through a carbon filter that helps reduce odors and extracts larger particles. The air then continues through the HEPA filter, which is a tightly woven fiber sieve. The filtered air is then redistributed throughout the room.
“In addition to having ample supplies of food and water, the quality of the air you breathe is equally important,” said Dick Couch, retired Navy SEAL/former CIA operative and author of a new book, The U.S. Armed Forces Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Survival Manual: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Yourself and Your Family From the Growing Terrorist Threat. “Families who proactively plan for emergencies may find tangible benefits, as well as peace of mind,” Couch said.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), outdoor air can enter buildings through joints or cracks in walls, floors and ceilings, as well as through natural (an open window) or mechanical ventilation (vents and fans). Beyond terrorist threats, HEPA air purifiers provide additional benefits to problems associated with outdoor air, such as pollen, molds, dust and material that can aggravate respiratory ailments.
HEPA air purifiers can be purchased at major retail stores such as, WalMart, Kmart and Target.
