Mold indoors can be a health hazard. It can trigger illness, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems, especially in children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.
A good air purifier can help remove mold spores from the air in your home. They are a great way to improve the air quality in your home or office, leaving you with cleaner, healthier air to breathe.
The best ones are HEPA-certified and double-filtered with a pre-filter and activated carbon filter. HEPA is an acronym for high-efficiency particulate air (filter).
Many people with allergies find that their symptoms improve when they use one in their home or office. They can also be very helpful for people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
A HEPA filter uses mechanical filtration to remove airborne particles greater than or equal to 0.3μm (1/83,000 of an inch) in diameter at a minimum 99.97% efficiency rating.
This means that these filters can trap 99.7 percent of mold spores and can also remove bacteria, viruses, and allergens that may be airborne in your indoor environment. But they will not remove mold that is on the surfaces of your property.
They come in many different sizes and price options so that you can find one that fits your needs perfectly. The average cost for a good unit is from $80 to $1,000 or more. The cost depends on the brand and how much coverage (square/cubit feet) they will clean.
Indoor air filtration can also be provided by whole house filtration via the home’s HVAC system (heating, ventilation, or air conditioning).
“Portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers or air sanitizers, are designed to filter the air in a single room or area. Central furnace or HVAC filters are designed to filter air throughout a home. Portable air cleaners and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollutants, including viruses, that are airborne.”
Most people choose to use portable air purifiers instead of larger systems because they are cheaper and easier to install and maintain.
Using an Air Purifier with a Dehumidifier
One of the best ways to prevent mold growth is to control humidity levels in your home. The easiest way to do this is with a dehumidifier during the summer months or when humidity levels rise.
A dehumidifier will help dry out damp areas and prevent future mold growth. An air purifier will help remove airborne particles and mold spores.
The EPA and CDC recommend using a combination of these two methods if you have mold in your home.
If you live in a city or work near heavy traffic, the clean air provided by an air purifier could also help reduce your risk of developing cancer or other illnesses caused by exposure to toxins in the air. They can also reduce odors caused by cooking, pets and tobacco smoke by filtering out harmful particles that cling to walls and furniture.
If you have any doubts about whether or not to use an air purifier, talk to your doctor first.
Moe Bedard is the founder of Mold Safe Inspections and manager at Mold Safe Solutions. A full-service Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) company specializing in property water damage, mold inspections, consultations, and mold remediation.
If you need help with a project, please call 760-818-6830.
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