Protect Your Health Using An Air Purifier
You dont have to let the effects of mold spores interfere with your health.
A simple air purifier can do wonders in helping prevent asthma and allergy flare-ups from mold and helping prevent the spread throughout your home.
Find the best air purifiers today and use them to improve your overall health and quality of life!
Sicknesses Caused By Black Mold
Toxic black mold is associated with many negative health consequences, but whether or not someone develops sickness depends on case-specific factors. Removing yourself from the mold source is typically the best way to find relief. However, some mold-related illnesses continue or develop even after a person is no longer exposed to black mold.
The Rule Of Thumb Is The Higher You Go Up The Merv Scale The Better
A really good filter with a MERV rating from 8-13 will capture 30 times or more pet dander, mold, and pollen than a standard filter, which makes it much easier for people to breathe, especially those with allergies.
For example, one of the most common indoor molds that we find is aspergillus, which has a particle diameter of 3.5 microns.
Here is a table from the EPA showing the various ratings and filtering abilities.
Bacteria, droplet nuclei , cooking oil, most smoke, and insecticide dust, most face powder, most paint pigments will have a micron size of 1-.3, so you would need a filter with a rating of a MERV 12 16 to properly filter the air against these contaminants.
Personally, I recommend the MERV 13 filter because it filters these other smaller contaminants from the air in addition to mold spores.
Here is a list of several different types of molds along with the MERV rating from Camfil, a manufacturer of high efficient filters for commercial HAVC systems.
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How Important Are Air Purifiers In Reducing Or Preventing Mold Growth
Air purifiers, especially those with a UV light or UV-c light, can be invaluable in reducing or preventing mold. However, one should never rely solely on air purifier units. Instead, adopt a more broad approach by preventing all the conditions necessary for mold to grow. Remember that mold needs space, food, and moisture so anything that can be done to prevent those conditions will help reduce and prevent mold and mold spores. Some ways to do this are: use fans, open windows, keep air circulating in the home, fix water leaks, prevent water build up, and remove food sources around moist areas. All of these measures plus the addition of an air purifier will help reduce and prevent mold spores and mold growth.
Pco & Peco Technology
PCO technology uses the light-activated catalyst reacting with organic pollutants. These gaseous pollutants undergo a chemical reaction that transforms the pollutants to non-toxic substances. Based on EPA, most PCO air purifiers are not that effective in destroying the gaseous pollutants, and cannot filter out particles, like mold spores.
PECO is a photon-based air purification process that destroys organic matter with a photoelectrochemical reaction. The process is much faster and more effective than PCO technology.
PECO air purifiers are able to remove VOCs, bacteria, mold spores. However, both PCO and PECO would produce byproducts like ozone.
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Best Air Purifiers For Black Mold
A high-quality air purifier can help you avoid the potentially dangerous health effects of black mold. However, not all air purifiers are equally capable of removing black mold from the air. If you want the best air purifier for mold, look no further than Air Oasis.
Our superior air purifiers are expertly built, rigorously tested and used in offices, clinics, research facilities, businesses and homes all over the world. They draw their power from a multi-tiered purification process. Many air purifiers only use one method of cleaning the air, which is generally filtration. Although air filters are a great way to trap certain contaminants, they dont catch everything.
In contrast, Air Oasis air purifiers utilize the top five purification technologies: true HEPA and activated carbon filtration, bi-polar and cold plasma ionization and ultraviolet light. This gives our air purifiers a unique advantage when it comes to reducing tiny airborne particles like mold spores and mVOCs, as well as the ability to eliminate some contaminants from surfaces.
At Air Oasis, we understand how important it is to substantiate a products claims with proof. Thats why we encourage you to read the scientific studies that demonstrate our purifiers ability to reduce airborne mold.
Questions? Wed love to chat with you! Contact us online or give us a call at .
What Is The Best Air Purifier For Mold And Mildew
The best air purifier for mold in your house is a true HEPA filter with a UV-c light. Not only can this filter trap spores and remove them from the air, but it can also kill off spores so they dont lodge in air purifier filters. Unfortunately, mold can damage filters if too many spores build up inside the HEPA filter system. Having a HEPA filter with UV-c light is the best solution as it will reduce mold spores and kill them.
Mildew is generally less harmful than mold even though it is a type of fungi as well. It usually grows on wet surfaces like kitchen and bathroom tiles and in moist corners where water builds up and remains. In this case, an air purifier can help with circulating spores but cant actually remove mildew. Removing mildew is easy and requires a simple wipe using hydrogen peroxide or just vinegar and water.
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Air Purifiers Eliminate Mold Spores But
While air purifiers eliminate mold spores, they do not tackle the underlying problems that may cause the growth of mold in your home. Though mold spores freely float about nearly everywhere you go, actively growing colonies of mold will not only dramatically increase the mold spore count found in the air, but they can also produce highly toxic byproducts called mycotoxins. You dont have to have allergies or asthma to suffer from the severe side effects that come from the exposure to mycotoxins.
To ensure that your home remains mold-free, use hygrometers and humidity gauges to monitor and manage the humidity levels in your home. Mold loves humidity and thrives in areas that are damp and dark. After testing your homes humidity levels, use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity level and to keep the humidity level in a range that is inhospitable to mold growth, 40-50%. Place HEPA air purifiers in problem areas to remove airborne particles, and clean up any mold that you may find.
Mold air purifiers offer the perfect solution to filter out the majority of mold spores that are found in indoor air, and while its a continual task, keeping the number of mold spores in your home low is key to controlling allergic reactions to them.
For more in-depth information about mold, cleaning/preventing mold, the health effects of mold, or air filtration, visit any one of these resources.
What Air Purifiers Dont Do
Although HEPA air purifiers can efficiently filter mold spores out of the air, you need to remove the mold first if you have a mold problem in your home. They will release mold spores but cant remove the mold growth, which puts the mold spores in the air. Its best to call a mold restoration company to get rid of a mold problem. These companies use specialized equipment and techniques to detect and remove mold growth and dry and restore affected surfaces.
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The Benefits Of Hepa Filtration
The most effective air purifiers utilize high efficiency particulate air filters. These filters must meet strict standards of particle removal. Mold spores range from one to five microns in size, so a successful filter must trap pollutants as small as one micron. HEPA filters have been tested and proven to remove 99.97% of particles as small as .03 microns in size. To be sure of having this level of filtration, select a unit that uses genuine HEPA filters. Its important to not fall for filters that claim to be HEPA-like, or HEPA-style. That way you can be certain that the air purifier you purchase will clean the air more thoroughly and eliminate a greater number of irritants than those with other types of filters.
Once trapped in the filter, mold spores are rendered inert. The dry, sterile environment stifles them and they are unable to survive. Changing the units HEPA filter as recommended will ensure the air purifier will continue to operate efficiently.
Air Purifier Or Dehumidifier For Mold What’s Better
Both dehumidifiers and air purifiers are effective in mold control. Dehumidifiers limit the mold spores by decreasing the humidity in your house.
Mold normally grows in a humid environment. A dehumidifier suppresses the mold from growing by removing the water in the air.
Air purifiers remove the mold by trapping and removing mold spores out of the air, preventing you from inhaling the moldy, musty air.
You can use both devices in your room, such as bathroom, basement, kitchen, to remove mold to the greatest extent.
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Are There Any Mold
No air filter or purifier can remove mold that has settled into household items like walls, kitchens, bathrooms or furniture. This means that an air purifier doesnt work on its own to fix a mold issue. However, once mold has been cleaned and removed from the house, an air purifier can prevent mold from returning. Air purifiers can help remove spores and some models can actually burn up the spores completely.
Is All Black Mold Toxic
All black mold has the potential to trigger allergy symptoms in people who are allergic, but not all black mold is toxic. Whether or not a black mold colony is toxic depends on which mycotoxins and mVOCs it releases into the air. This distinction is one of the reasons theres so much controversy surrounding black molds health effects.
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Can Mold Grow In Your Lungs
Mold can grow in damaged lungs or in people with a problem with their immune system. It is rare for it to grow in healthy lungs in people with an intact immune system. Aspergillosis is an example of this.
These are some of the more common manifestations of exposure to mold but there are others. If you think that you may be affected by mold you should consult a health professional.
Mildew is another type of fungus that grows when there is water available. As a general rule Mildew tends not to damage the surfaces on which it is growing like mold does. Also it is easier to remove and has fewer health implications.
Who Is Affected By Black Mold
Regardless of whether a particular mold colony produces dangerous airborne chemicals, certain individuals are at a higher risk for health complications. Breathing black mold is generally more dangerous for the following groups:
- People with allergies
- People with underlying lung disease
- Individuals with chronic respiratory disease
- The elderly and infants
Additionally, individuals who have poor nutrition, a weakened immune system, low detox capability and comorbid illness are more likely to experience adverse reactions. However, anyone may experience negative health effects when exposed to toxic black mold over time.
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Mold Safe Inspections Conclusion
Please keep in mind that this is not a complete cure for keeping your indoor air clean, but one of the most effective tools for the defense against harmful pathogens and to create clean air in your home.
One last note, even though these are great filters, you will still need to change them at least 3-4 times a year, and if you have severe allergies or a mold problem, I recommend once every other month or every 90 days maximum.
To do so, I recommend that you wear safety equipment such as a HEPA mask and you install a vapor barrier around the area or at the very least, use a HEPA vacuum and air filter right next to you so it will clean any dust that gets airborne.
You will also need to measure the size of your filter and the easiest way to do that is by finding the size of the one that is currently installed and in use.
If it is not listed on the current filter, take it out and measure the length, width, and depth, and then round the numbers up to the nearest inch. It is better for it to be a little too large than too small, so there are no gaps where debris and pathogens such as molds can bypass the system.
When buying a new filter, I recommend that you go as high as possible to a MERV rating of 12-13 to filter mold and other airborne contaminants such as smoke, insecticides, and auto-exhaust emissions. That way your indoor air is as clean as possible.
If you need a mold inspection or mold remediation, please call or text us at 760-818-6830.
Are Air Filters The Same As Air Purifiers
Air filters only clean the larger particles in the air such as dust and dander. However, air purifiers will sanitize the air using ozone, heat, negative ions, or UV and UV-c light. Most air purifiers also have a filter to remove those large particles. However, some air filters dont have a purifying mechanism and thus just filter the air of large particles like dust.
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How To Remove Airborne Mold
Whether youve tested for black mold, seen it growing or just suspect it in your home, its important to protect yourself and family. Although black mold is insidious and frequently reappears, there are several effective ways to drastically reduce its presence.
The best way to reduce black mold from the air is to remove the conditions for growth in your home. Before attempting mold remediation, its critical to follow protocol outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency . Jumping into the process without the appropriate gear and game plan could put you and your loved ones at risk for exposure.
After youve found and removed the black mold growth, its important to also remove anything its touched. Black mold cant grow in the absence of excess moisture, so its essential to find the source of the water, replacing seals and fixing leaks if necessary. Running a dehumidifier can help keep frequently damp spaces like basements and bathrooms dry.
Remember black mold spores, particles and mycotoxins are most likely to enter the air when the colony is disturbed. Thats why its essential to run an air purifier when you suspect mold, during the mold remediation process and after the mold has been removed.
Remove The Defect That Allowed It To Grow In The First Place
The source of the moisture also needs addressing. If it is a leaky roof or breach of basement water proofing the source of the leak needs fixing. It may be that the area you are in has high levels of humitidy at some times of the year and then a whole house dehumidifier may be the best option.
Mold prevention is also important, as a general rule to prevent mold growth any water damage to your home should be dried out within 24-48 hours. This is likely to prevent mold from starting to grow
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Can I Clean Hepa Filters
Although lots of people replace their HEPA filters with new ones, it is possible to clean them to save you money and the hassle of having to purchase them. Make sure to check the manual that comes with the air purifier to see if it allows you to clean it before you attempt it yourself. It could end up damaging the device as some are not meant to be cleaned manually.
How To Prevent Mold
The key to avoiding mold-related health issues is to prevent the stuff from growing in the first place. One of the ways Dr. Ogden recommends doing this is by reducing moisture levels in the home. This means fixing and preventing any leaks, areas of pooling water, and excessive moisture and humiditythink that classic moldy basement, she says.
In addition to not running your shower for long periods of time before getting in, she recommends wiping down surfaces often, as these are central areas of mold production.
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Best Ways To Prevent Mold Important Tips
In order to stop the growth of mold from altogether happening in your homes, you should definitely take some precautions. There are many ways in which mold can be prevented, some of them are:
