Do Air Purifiers Help With Mold?

Health Hazards

• Mold spores get stuck in lung tissues because the spores pass through the cillia and do not leave the lungs easily when exhaled. This can cause lung congestion. Also, the mold creates allergic reactions such as sneezing, red eyes, runny nose, rashes and general malaise. More serious types of mold, such as black mold, release mycotoxins that can even cause death. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the health effects of mold inhalation.

Moldy Rooms

• Mold most often develops in damp areas, such as in basements. Areas that have experienced water damage are the most susceptible to mold. Mold also grows in tight homes that do not have good air flow. Old buildings have the most mold because the mold spores develop in the home over a long period of time. Place the air purifier directly in the room that has the biggest mold problem. Unfortunately, mold also grows in areas that are difficult to see, such as in between walls. When operating the air purifier, run the purifier continuously so that the purifier does not have to run extra hard to purify very stagnant air.

Filtration

• The HEPA filters are the most effective at eliminating spores that might pass through other filters. The spores are trapped and kept dry so that they perish. Homeowners can also use UV radiation to kill spores that pass through the air purifier, further enhancing air cleaning.

Odors

• While homeowners might eliminate most of the mold using air purifiers, the musty smell might linger. Fortunately, homeowners can use deep carbon bed filters that can absorb these strong odors.

Mold Removal

• After improving the air quality with the purifiers, homeowners should locate the source of the mold problem and resolve it. Even after killing the mold, the dead mold material can continue to cause health problems. Wear a respirator and put on clothing that can be laundered quickly. Dampen the mold area to minimize the release of mold spores when wiping. Use non-ammonia soap or detergent to scrub the mold. If the mold has infested a porous material, dispose of that material. After removing the mold, disinfect the entire area with bleach. Use an air purifier while removing the mold to minimize the chances that live spores land on another surface and start growing.