| According to the definition in EPA Lead RRP
40 CFR 745.83:
"HEPA vacuum means a vacuum cleaner which has been designed with a
high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration
stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is capable of capturing
particles of 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. The vacuum cleaner
must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is
expelled through the HEPA filter with none of the air leaking past
it."
EPA has also published the following clarification within their
Prevention and Toxics section, ID 6658:
"Therefore, renovation firms should look for a vacuum cleaner that
was designed to be operated with a HEPA filter, rather than a shop
vacuum that can be fitted with a HEPA filter in place of the
original basic filter. A vacuum retrofitted with a HEPA filter is
not necessarily properly sealed or designed so that all of the
intake air goes through the HEPA filter. EPA also recommends that
renovation firms ask the manufacturer or retailer whether the
machine has been tested to ensure that it achieves the high
efficiency required of a HEPA filter (capturing 99.97% of 0.3 micron
particles)." |
