The most common airborne contaminates that these filters are tested against tend to include pollen dust mites mold spores dust pet dander.
Attic furnace filter.
Fire hazards can result if there are excess items pressed against the furnace.
The filter is probably at the air intake not in the furnace blower unit up in the attic.
Attic whole house replacement filters.
You say you changed the two in the living areas suggesting that you have a dual zone system 2 floors.
Keep the area around your attic furnace clean.
Attic replacement and deep pleated air filters utilize 100 synthetic fibers high initial efficiency and will not promote the growth of bacteria mold mildew or fungi in normal operating environments.
As the merv rating increases the finer the filtration becomes.
However both your furnace and a c share a single filter.
With forced air systems air gets sucked in through the return vents from all around your house goes through the air filter and then through the hvac system where the air is either heated or cooled depending on what you have your thermostat set to.
Excessive dust and debris in the furnace area will be pulled into the.