Air Purifiers and Mold

You might have some doubts about air purifiers that are stopping you from purchasing one. Some people believe that if you have allergies they will suddenly stop when you start using an air purifier. It should be noted that an air purifier is just a part of allergy control. The Truth About Air Purifiers

The truth is some allergens such as pollen are heavy and might fall on the floor before they can be caught by the air purifier. Some also believe that if the door or window is open the purifier will not work. The reality is that with the windows open, there is fresh air in circulation helping the air purifier eliminate particles at a faster rate.

The Cause and Effect of Mold

Mold grows where there is moisture. It can, therefore, be found almost anywhere, in the air or on surfaces. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others, they might, therefore, experience throat irritation, wheezing or in some cases skin irritation. People suffering from mold allergies might have more severe reactions.

Common Causes of Mold

For mold to grow in your home, it will need oxygen, moisture, warmth and darkness since it cannot grow under ultraviolet light. Moisture, however, is the key cause of mold since the other conditions are present in homes.

Below is a list of what could cause mold growth:

• Leaking pipes – this is the leading cause of mold especially if the pipes are hidden from view such as in the walls. They can go undetected for a long time and before they are discovered mold has already started growing.
• Leaking roofs – roofs that leak into the attic might remain undiscovered for a while since that area does not have much traffic. Regular checks for a leaking roof could save you from a mold problem.
• Poor ventilation – if the house has poor ventilation chances are that pockets of stagnant moisture will be created, and this is ideal for mold growth.
• Wet clothes – if damp clothes are left in a pile for a long period, mold will start growing on them and on other surfaces due to the moisture they release into the house.

Health-Related Effects of Mold

If a person is exposed to indoor mold for a long time, they will develop some problems. Some groups of people are more prone to develop severe symptoms sooner than others. They are:

• Infants and children
• Immunocompromised patients
• People with respiratory conditions such as asthma
• Elderly people Mold exposure can cause the following health complications:
• Fungal infection especially for immunocompromised individuals
• Mold-induced hypersensitivity which is caused by being directly exposed to mold spores and inhaling them.
• Mycotoxin toxicity – mycotoxins are toxic compounds excreted by mold under certain conditions. Exposure has been known to lead to neurological problems and sometimes death.

Use of Air Purifiers in Combating Mold

Air purifiers combat mold by using filters to trap the airborne microscopic particles. To increase the effectiveness of the air purifier it should be placed in areas that mold is frequently found such as basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Even though air purifiers filter the majority of spores found in the air, they do not tackle the underlying problem of mold growth.

Studies have shown that there are strong links between air pollution from both indoors or outdoors and diseases such as stroke and other respiratory diseases. In California alone around 25000 people die every year due to air pollution and total costs of 200 million dollars in medical expenses.

According to WHO, an estimated 3 million deaths every year can be linked to air pollution.

Original article written by Mold Blogger