Which of the following is a characteristic of HEPA filters?

A characteristic of HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters is their ability to provide high efficiency for air purification. HEPA filters are specifically designed to trap a significant amount of particulate matter, capturing at least 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size. This makes them particularly effective at removing allergens, dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and other fine particles from the air, which is crucial in environments such as hospitals, laboratories, and clean rooms.

In the context of pharmacy practice, the use of HEPA filters is critical in ensuring that the air quality is sufficient to minimize contamination during the preparation of sterile medications. Other options do not specifically pertain to the primary function of HEPA filters. For instance, while low particulate counts relate to the effectiveness of HEPA filters, they describe a result rather than a defining characteristic. Similarly, medication storage and temperature control are not aspects governed by the functionality of HEPA filters.