EPA is an acronym for "Efficient Particulate Air," which refers to an "effective particulate filter." It is a type of filter that captures very small impurities from the passing air, such as pollen, mold spores, dust particles, or animal allergens. This prevents their return to the room and contributes to cleaner indoor air. The efficiency of EPA filters is indicated by a number, such as E10, E11, and E12, which specifies the percentage of captured particles. For example, class E12 captures more than 99.5% of particles. It is a less efficient variant of the better-known HEPA filters.