HEPA VERSUS ULPA

WHICH FILTER SHOULD YOUR

BIOSAFETY CABINET USE?

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 HEPA VERSUS ULPA:
WHICH FILTER SHOULD YOUR BIOSAFETY CABINET USE?

A biosafety cabinet (BSC) is one of the most important pieces of equipment in virtually every laboratory that
handles low-to-moderate risk biological materials. A BSC maintains a safe environment for personnel, and
prevents cross-contamination of the work product in industries such as large healthcare providers, testing
facilities, or pharmaceutical manufacturers. Among the many important components determining the
effectiveness of a BSC, the most critical is the air filter.

HEPA vs. ULPA Filters

There are two primary types of air filters used in BSCs: A concept from fluid dynamics known as “Bernoulli’s principle”
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air), and ULPA, (Ultra-Low can describe the creation of negative pressure due to the
Particulate Air). Understanding the similarities and differences movement of air within a BSC. Bernoulli’s principle states,
between HEPA and ULPA aids in selecting the filter which offers in part, that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs
the best combination of performance and capability for the simultaneously with a decrease in pressure. In this case, the air
specific needs of an organization. inside a BSC acts as a fluid, the velocity of which is increased
by means of a blower. As the velocity of the air increases, the
BSC Operation
pressure of the moving air decreases creating the negative
A BSC is an enclosed, ventilated, laboratory workspace with a
pressure necessary to operate a BSC.
blower fan, airflow plenums and grill patterns, a work area with
an opening for a technician’s hands at the front, a transparent Bernoulli’s principle also describes the creation of lift by an
front panel to allow sight of the interior, and a control panel to airplane wing. The air flowing over the top of the wing must
monitor and adjust system functions. move a greater distance around the wing in the same amount
of time as the air flowing along the bottom moves a shorter
Standards
distance. This pressure differential creates lift.
There are a variety of standards that define basic performance
parameters of a BSC. The most widely used and accepted are
NSF/ANSI 49 and Europe Standard EN12469. These biosafety
cabinet standards were created by development organizations
with all stake holders participating and continue today to Lift
maintain and define minimum standards of how a cabinet
Higher Velocity = Lower Pressure
should operate. Standards allow lab personnel to compare
offerings from competing companies and better plan purchases.

Negative Pressure Wing

There are several types of BSCs but all share a common
operational principle. Blowers force air through the cabinet
to create a work area under negative pressure relative to the Lower Velocity = Higher Pressure
surrounding environment. This area of negative pressure
isolates materials (product protection) inside the cabinet. Lift is generated by a pressure differential around an airfoil

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 HEPA Versus ULPA: Which Filter Should Your Biosafety Cabinet Use?

The most widely used type of Class II BSC, the Type A2, uses a The operation depends on the design and integrity of the
blower [A] to circulate air in the cabinet — through a HEPA or cabinet, the power of the blower, and the air filter.
ULPA air filter [B], down into and over the work space in the
The Role of the Filter
front [C], through to the bottom [D], and up the back [E] of
The filter is integral to the safety and
the cabinet to the top again. At that point, some of the air is
protection of personnel and of the
recirculated [F], with the rest of the air either discharged [G]
materials in the work space. Without
into the lab or through the facility’s exhaust system. Additional
the filter, air passing over the work
air is pulled through a grill from the lab [H] into the cabinet to
space could pick up contaminants,
make up the discharged portion.
cycle them through the cabinet, and
[G] deposit them on the work product, BSC Exhaust Filter
Class II Type A2
Biosafety Cabinet Airflow creating cross-contamination.

The filter removes airborne particulate before the air is re-

[A] turned into the work space. Some of the particle types that such
a filter traps are bacteria, viruses and spores. However, a HEPA
or ULPA filter is gas-permeable, so odors, vapors, or chemicals
such as Acetylaminofluorene can remain in filtered air.
[B] [F]
Test Standards
There are two different types of filters used in BSC designs:
[E]
HEPA and ULPA. However, there are multiple test standards in
use for the two filter types, which can create confusion. The U.S.
[C] BSC standard NSF/ANSI 49 applies the Institute of Environment
Sciences and Technology’s IEST-RP-CC001 filter standards and
classifications for both HEPA and ULPA. The EU’s EN 12469 BSC
[D]
[H] standard applies European Standard EN1822-1. Each has a
different approach to measurement.

HEPA Filtered Air IEST-RP-CC001 uses photometers and particle counters to

Contaminated Work-surface Air test the efficiency with which particles of a particular size are
removed from the air stream. EN1822-1 uses particle counters
Contaminated Room Air
or differential mobility analyzers to determine the removal
efficiency of the most penetrating particle size (MPPS), which
The velocity of the air creates negative pressure, preventing air
can change with such factors as filter media fiber size or air
from escaping through the user access opening of the work-
flow rate.
space. In addition, the cabinet design creates laminar flow,
which means air passes smoothly around object in the work Which standard a manufacturer uses depends on how the BSC
area, including the hands of personnel, minimizing turbulence is marketed, whether NSF/ANSI 49, EN 12469, or elsewhere
and the chance of cross-contamination between samples. (either standard or other specifications may be used).

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 HEPA Versus ULPA: Which Filter Should Your Biosafety Cabinet Use?

Airborne particulate such as dust or mold spores

is prevented from passing through a HEPA filter by collision
with filter media fibers, as well as electrostatic attraction,
causing the particles to become trapped inside the filter.

HEPA
HEPA filters are widely used in BSCs and also in facilities such as Both HEPA and ULPA filters use mats of randomly arranged
hospitals. HEPA filters remove airborne particulates, allergens, boron silicate fibers — typically of fiberglass — that range in
bacteria, and other materials that could cause health problems, size from 0.5 microns to 2.0 microns. Unlike a sieve or screen,
or cross-contamination, if allowed to remain airborne. the filter does not prevent the passage of particles by only
offering openings smaller than the size of particles being
Standard NSF/ANSI 49 specifies the use of type C or J HEPA
filtered. If that were the strategy, the holes might quickly fill,
filters in a BSC. Under testing method IEST-RP-CC001, a type
requiring more frequent filter replacement.
C HEPA filter must remove particles of 0.3 microns in size
with an efficiency of at least 99.99 percent. A type J HEPA Instead, the filter relies on several physical mechanisms, as well
filter must remove 99.99 percent of particles from 0.1 to 0.2 as electrostatic attraction, that cause the particles to become
microns or from 0.2 to 0.3 microns. HEPA filters are capable stuck on the fibers inside the filter.
of removing particles above and below these size ranges but
Because the air passages through the filter are not blocked, a
the efficiency will vary from that of the specified particle sizes.
filter can have a long life span. In a BSC, a HEPA filter life span
EN standard 12469 specifies the use of H14 filters or better.
would typically run between five and 15 years, creating a long
Under testing method EN1822-1, a filter’s efficiency is defined
mean time between replacements reducing cost.
by MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size) based on velocity of
air flowing through the filter media. The test does not look for a In addition, HEPA filters offer minimum pressure drop and
specific size of a particle passing through the filter like IEST but maximum airflow in operation. Air moves easily through them
instead defines the filters efficiency based on the percentage of and relatively little power is needed to overcome restrictions.
particles penetrating the filter media.

BSC Standard Testing Method Filter Type Efficiency

HEPA NSF/ANSI 49 IEST-RP-C001 HEPA Type C 99.99% @ 0.3 micron
NSF/ANSI 49 IEST-RP-C001 HEPA Type J 99.99% @ 0.1 – 0.2 or 0.2 – 0.3 micron
FILTERS
EN12469 EN1822-1 HEPA H14 99.995% @ MPPS

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 HEPA Versus ULPA: Which Filter Should Your Biosafety Cabinet Use?

BSC Standard Testing Method Filter Type Efficiency

ULPA NSF/ANSI 49 IEST-RP-C001 ULPA Type F 99.999% @ 0.1 – 0.2 or 0.2 – 0.3 micron
NSF/ANSI 49 IEST-RP-C001 ULPA Type K 99.995% @ 0.1 – 0.2 or 0.2 – 0.3 micron
FILTERS
EN12469 EN1822-1 ULPA U15 99.9995% @ MPPS

ULPA ing particle size might be classified as a HEPA H14 under test-
ULPA refers to an air filter using fabrication technology similar to ing method EN1822-1 (EN12469). However, that same filter could
that of a HEPA filter, but with different performance standards. also be classified as a Type K ULPA filter if tested using method
Like HEPA standards, ULPA standards vary in their definitions. IEST-RP-C001 (NSF/ASNI 49). In light of this, the most reliable
Standard NSF/ANSI 49 specifies the use of Type F and K ULPA method for choosing a filter type involves the consideration of
filters. Under testing method IEST-RP-CC001, a type F ULPA the intended purpose of the filter. The following four factors are
filter and must remove 99.999 percent of contaminants either important considerations when choosing a filter.
between 0.1 microns and 0.2 microns or between 0.2 microns
1) Filter Standard
and 0.3 microns. A type K ULPA filter must remove 99.995
A BSC is designed to work with filters which meet a defined
percent of particles from 0.1 to 0.2 microns or from 0.2 to 0.3
standard, typically IEST-RP-CC001 or EN1822-1. Choose a filter
microns. As with HEPA filters, a ULPA filter can remove parti-
that meets the appropriate standard for the BSC.
cles both larger and smaller than the test size. The specification
sets a minimum efficiency, which means ULPA filters remove 2) Level of Filtering
more material from the air than HEPA filters. Under EN1822-1, The primary purpose of a HEPA or ULPA filter is personnel
the necessary efficiency is 99.9995 percent at MPPS to be clas- safety and protection of the work product. A ULPA filter will
sified as a ULPA filter. remove particles with greater efficiency than a HEPA filter
of the same dimensions. However, the degree of filtration
The increased filtering does come at a price. ULPA filters are
necessary depends on the type of work being conducted in the
typically 35 percent more expensive than HEPA filters. HEPA
BSC. For most biomedical applications, HEPA offers more than
filters average a 10-year lifespan while ULPA filters typically
adequate filter efficiency to protect personnel and prevent
last between 5 and 8 years. ULPA filters also, on average, allow
work cross-contamination.
20 percent to 50 percent less air through than HEPA filters. To
move the same volume of air through a ULPA filter of the same An ULPA filter will function in a BSC, but the level of filtration
dimensions will take significantly more force than would be efficiency is typically far higher than necessary, providing
necessary with a HEPA filter. A filter with a larger surface area limited, if any, benefit over the use of a HEPA filter.
or with greater thickness will increase the amount of air that
can pass through, but that can increase the size of the BSC. 3) Price
ULPA filters are more expensive than a HEPA filter of the same
Readers should note that HEPA and ULPA filters are also spec- dimensions. Additionally, ULPA filters have a shorter service life
ified in ISO 29463-1:2017but this does not alter the meaning of than HEPA filters, increasing maintenance costs due to more
this article. frequent replacement.

Choosing Between HEPA and ULPA 4) BSC Configuration

The distinction between HEPA and ULPA style filters can be The difference in amount of air that can pass through a ULPA
unclear given the range of testing methods per BSC standard. versus a HEPA filter has significant implications. The operation
For example, a filter that is 99.995 efficient at a most penetrat- of a BSC depends on engineering, manufacturing, and opera-

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 HEPA Versus ULPA: Which Filter Should Your Biosafety Cabinet Use?

tions that permit the level of air flow necessary to maintain the NuAire Laboratory Equipment Supply
proper amount of negative pressure in the cabinet. NuAire manufactures ergonomically designed and engineered
scientific laboratory equipment providing personnel,
A ULPA filter slows the air flow by 20 percent to 50 percent
product and/or environmental protection in critical research
compared to a HEPA filter. To maintain the same air flow and
environments. NuAire’s extensive line of laboratory equipment
resulting protective measures of the cabinet, one of three
includes:
things must happen: the filter area must be enlarged, the depth
of the filter increased, or the power of the blower increased.

Any of these three options increases the cost of the BSC, both
in the initial purchase and in operating expenses, either through
larger and more expensive filters or from maintenance of a
more powerful, and expensive, blower.

Conclusion Biological Safety Cabinets Animal Research Products

The choice of whether to install HEPA or ULPA filters in a BSC
has short and long-term implications for lab management.
HEPA filters meet or exceed the filtration needs for biological
work in a BSC. ULPA filters provide no distinct advantage for
scientific research and are more commonly employed in the
semi-conductor industry. Filter costs will be lower as will the
configuration price of the BSC. Less power is required to run
a blower when a HEPA filter is in use, lowering energy costs. In CO2 Incubators Laminar Airflow Products
theory, since HEPA filters allow more air to pass through the
filter media than ULPA filters, a HEPA filter will take longer
to reach maximum load resulting in a longer life. Filter
replacement costs and blower maintenance expenses will also
be lower, leading to a more economical installation.
Polypropylene Centrifuges
Fume Hoods & Casework

i. NSF/ANSI 49-2016: Biosafety Cabinetry: Design, Construction, Performance and

Field Certification, ANSI American National Standards Institute
To learn more or to speak with someone at NuAire
ii. EN 12469: 2000: Biotechnology - Performance criteria for microbiological safe-
ty cabinets, CEN European Committee for Standardization please visit nuaire.com or call 763-553-1270.
iii. IEST-RP-CC001: HEPA and ULPA Filters, IEST Institute of Environmental Scienc-
es and Technology

iv. EN1822-1:2009: High efficiency air filters (EPA, HEPA and ULPA) - Part 1: Clas-
sification, performance testing, marking, CEN European Committee for Standard-
ization

v. ISO 29463-1:2017: High efficiency filters and filter media for removing particles
from air – Part 1: Classification, performance, testing and marking, ISO Interna-
tional Standards Organisation

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