Introduction to the 3M Filtrete Brand

3M is a world-renowned diversified technology company known for innovation and its extensive range of products. Over its history of more than 100 years, the company has developed more than 60,000 high-quality products. In modern society, 50% of the world's population comes into direct or indirect contact with 3M products every day.

3M's success is based on developing and combining multiple outstanding technology platforms to meet customer needs across a broad range of real-world markets. Continuous innovation has become part of 3M's DNA. Many well-known stories of innovation have originated within the company, and 3M Filtrete air-purification technology is itself an innovative application of the N95 mask technology that 3M introduced during the SARS outbreak.

The 2003 SARS outbreak brought 3M N95 masks widespread attention and placed them in the spotlight across major news media. Medical institutions in China used 3M's N95-series products extensively during the response to SARS. 3M N95 masks provide strong protection and achieve filtration efficiency above 95% for certain pathogenic biological particles, including viruses, bacteria, mold, anthrax bacteria, and tuberculosis bacteria, as well as for fine non-oil-based dust. They also capture more than 95% of dust particles generated in construction, mining, foundry work, woodworking, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, material handling, grinding, and similar operations. These results are attributed to three key technologies: electrostatic filter cotton, nonwoven fabric, and activated-carbon filtration. The excellent air-filtration performance of 3M N95 products helped protect frontline medical personnel.

The filter in a 3M Filtrete air purifier combines 3M medical-grade N95 nonwoven technology, electrostatic electret technology, and a high-performance activated-carbon element to provide multiple stages of filtration. Filtrete air-purifier filters use strong polypropylene (PP) fibers. Electrostatic electret technology keeps the filter electrically charged, enabling static electricity on the media to attract and capture airborne pollutant particles. The charge strengthens the filter's ability to capture particles, allowing the electrostatic media to remove more than 99.9% of airborne particles such as dust, fine dust, pollen, dust mites, cigarette smoke, and pet dander. Because the PP fibers have an open, fluffy structure and greater dust-holding capacity, the filter also has a relatively long service life.

In addition, 3M activated-carbon material has an excellent structure, uniform carbon particles, and a molecular structure with high carbon content. Its highly porous structure effectively adsorbs volatile organic compounds and odors. It also adsorbs nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide effectively; these are among the pollutants most commonly detected during pollution monitoring. Coal and petroleum generally contain sulfur compounds, so combustion produces sulfur dioxide. Long-term exposure to low concentrations of sulfur dioxide may cause systemic symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and reduced senses of smell and taste. As primary pollutants, nitrogen oxides can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and can readily cause respiratory disease, such as influenza that leads to bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as induce cancerous changes in lung cells. In children, nitrogen oxides may impair lung development.

It can be said that the 3M Filtrete Quiet Breathing air purifier brings medical-grade filtration performance into ordinary homes, allowing more people to breathe fresh air that feels closer to nature.