Can I Replace a HEPA Filter Myself? Risks and Recommendations

If you regularly utilize lab equipment in your work or research, you know how important filtration is. Harmful fumes and particulate matter are safely removed from your workspace and you can avoid risk when filters are changed regularly and your lab equipment is routinely certified. So if you suspect that there is a potential problem with the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in your biosafety cabinet, what can you do? 

If you’re in the middle of an important experiment or you desperately need to collect time-sensitive data, you could be tempted to push through and then replace the HEPA filter yourself. But should you? Here we will uncover some vital information surrounding HEPA filters and lab equipment and offer you some options for a DIY approach.

What Is a HEPA Filter?

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are vital components of lab equipment that help to maintain a sterile and safe working environment. They are made using fibers such as tightly interwoven glass and synthetic materials that are engineered to be able to trap the smallest of particles that are invisible to the naked eye. HEPA filters are highly regulated and undergo strict certification to ensure efficacy.

While HEPA filters are now commonplace for any number of consumer and household appliances, those used in laboratory settings are different. For one thing, they often filter to a much smaller particle size than what can be found in common household goods. HEPA filters trap microorganisms, dust, and other contaminants that are in the air and are potentially harmful. They are vital to maintaining a safe laboratory.

That said, like anything else that is under constant use, the effectiveness of HEPA filters used in biosafety cabinets can be compromised over time. As they become saturated with particles and decrease in efficiency, they become less effective in trapping harmful particles in the air. When this happens, it leaves lab workers exposed to risk.

When to Change a Hepa Filter? Should HEPA Filters Be Replaced?

While HEPA filters are durable, efficient and made to last for several years, eventually they will require repair or replacement. But how can you know when it is time to service the HEPA filter on your fume hood or biosafety cabinet? An obvious sign to look out for is decreased airflow. That can be a clear indication that the filter is bogged down and not able to allow the same volume of air to pass through as it did previously. Regular airflow checks can alert you to this change. Another signal to be aware of is increased particle count in the cabinet, even though you are regularly cleaning surfaces and performing maintenance–a filter that is at particle capacity will be unable to catch everything you need it to.

Under typical use, HEPA filters should last anywhere from 3-5 years, but this can change depending on various factors, like amount of use and environmental specifics. Your maintenance records will let you know when it was last changed, and give you an idea of whether it could be time for servicing. It has been several years since it was replaced and you’re noticing other indicators, contact the team at DigeLab and we can schedule maintenance on your lab equipment.

Who Should Replace a HEPA Filter?

Due to the nature of the particulate matter held inside of a HEPA filter, those not certified to perform maintenance risk harm by trying to perform this task themselves. For this and other reasons, HEPA filter replacement must be performed by trained and certified professionals, like the technicians at DigeLab Solutions.

Here are other considerations that make HEPA filter replacement a job for a professional:

• Anything but a perfect seal–e.g.gaps or improper installation–can compromise your filtration system and prevent it from functioning as it should, making your biosafety cabinet unsafe for use
• HEPA filters used in lab equipment can contain hazardous materials–e.g. biological, chemical, or radioactive agents–that could be potentially harmful to handle or be exposed to
• Without proper handling and disposal, the old HEPA filter can end up contaminating the lab environment
• Lab equipment manufacturers require that maintenance and repairs are performed by certified and qualified technicians–DIY HEPA filter replacement could void any valid warranties
• An unqualified individual who attempts to change a HEPA filter may not be as gentle as they should be, thereby damaging the delicate components and rendering the filter useless
• Anyone but a trained and certified lab equipment technician will not be aware of the necessary safety protocols to strictly follow, from cleaning to wearing PPE, followup testing and more
• There is a risk of obtaining the incorrect filter, as some manufacturers use deceptive marketing and offer sub-par products as being ”HEPA-like”

While you can easily replace the types of HEPA filters used in home appliances and consumer goods, the risks for doing this in lab equipment are not worth the seeming efficiency. Instead, if you’re noticing reduced airflow or increased particle count, it could be time for repair or replacement. DigeLab Solutions is happy to help keep your laboratory work environment safe and protected from hazardous materials. Contact us today about HEPA filter replacement, biosafety cabinet certification and fume hood repair. Our trained technicians will have your lab equipment back up and running as quickly as possible.