Which rating indicates a higher filtering efficiency in particulate filters?

The rating of a particulate filter is an important factor when assessing its filtering efficiency. A filter rated at 95% indicates that it can remove 95% of airborne particulates of a certain size from the air that passes through it. This is a significant level of efficiency, making these filters suitable for environments where air quality is crucial, such as in medical settings or when handling pesticides.

Filters are typically assigned efficiency ratings based on their performance in laboratory tests. A filter rated at 95% shows that it has undergone testing and proven to effectively filter out a high percentage of particles, providing a reliable barrier against contaminants. Higher percentages correlate with better performance, ensuring that fewer harmful particles make it into the breathing air.

In contrast, a rating of 90% indicates slightly lower filtering efficiency than a 95% rating. Therefore, while still effective, it does not provide the same level of assurance for those requiring a high standard of air purity. Ratings approaching 80% and references to air exchange rates are not directly comparable to the efficiency ratings of particulate filters because they measure different aspects of air quality or filtration effectiveness. In summary, a 95% rating is indicative of the highest observed filtering efficiency among the options.