Sunday, May 22, 2016

Air Purifiers Fight the Mold Spores


If you know what it’s like when your house has serious water damage, you have probably faced with the fight against mold. You won’t believe, but it takes not more than a couple of hours and a little moisture for the mold spores to form. At first, there’s just a little musty odor and then the homeowner sees how the mold colonies begin to collect and grow. All the spores that are invisible to our eyes begin to fly from the colonies and settle on various moist areas of the living space, and fill the house air with the particles that are dangerous for our health.

Let’s make it clear regarding what mold is. The question is about a fungus that is known to break down the decaying organic matter. Molds places a crucial role in the process of flavoring of different aged cheeses, as well as it has been used to produce life savers like penicillin. In case mold is found in the right setting, it can perform a wide range of useful functions.

But at the same time, mold’s nature can be pretty destructive. In case the conditions are suitable for the mold’s growth, it can lead to a structural damage to your house. All the items that are pretty costly (furniture, mattresses and carpeting) will most likely make your perform extreme cleaning or even buying the new ones because of the corrosive effects of molds.

Moisture is the best condition for mold to grow. Rainy days, humid climates or water evaporation in the house will most likely push the colonies development. Due to law quality ventilation, humidity can remain in your living area for a long period of time. Moreover, some molds can even thrive, when the level of humidity is above 55%.  

Health Issues

The very moment the mold spores break off from the colonies and fill the house indoor area. Just like plants use pollen, molds use spores to spread all over the place. Even if you managed to remove the visible mold, the spores are most likely to stay there in the indoor air. While mucous and cilia inside the nasal cavity may prevent most of the dust particles from getting into the nasal passages, mold spores can still pass through.

While some individuals find nothing wrong in the mold presence in the indoor air, the others may be shocked. For the people, who suffer from mold allergies, the symptoms may become more severe and get worse over time. For instance, asthmatics feel especially bad while breathing in the invasive fungi. Among the most common reactions to molds one can mention:
  • Blocked sinuses.
  • Coughing.
  • Difficulties while breathing.
  • Wheezing.
  • Sore throat.
  • Rash or itchy skin.
  • Eye irritation or redness.
  • Shortness of breath.
In case you cannot boast of having a solid immune system to cope with mold, it may cause infection of skin, lungs or sinuses.  

The Role of Air Purifiers

One of your best friends in your battle against the mold spores is a high quality air purifier. There are several common types of indoor air purifiers. Some devices emit negative ions that stick to the particles and make them fall directly to the ground. But the truth is that the particles are stirred up once again the very moment the user walks by or can be lifted up when one opens the door. The other types of air purifiers produce ozone in order to kill mold spores. However, ozone in great quantities may be harmful to both – you and your pet.

If you’re searching for a reliable and effective device to protect your family from mold, consider HEPA filtration. In this type of air filters, a fan draws indoor air into the unit and then simply pulls it through the filters in order to provide you with cleaner air after. The quality of the system depends on its capabilities. As a rule, the models are rated for their effectiveness by the size of the biggest particle that is going to pass through the air purifier’s filters.

The filter that is used to remove pollutants can be equipped with a carbon pre-filter that is reliable to eliminate odors. As indoor air passes through the pre-filter, the musty mold smell is getting neutralized. It is important to mention the devices used for air purification are most effective in case they are run constantly. But the good news is that the majority of models use very little electricity. But remember that all filters should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations so that you could reach the desired results

Air filters are portable, which means the homeowners have an opportunity to use them whenever or wherever required. If you set the device in the room, where mold is usually found, you will do your best to remove air particles before they reach any other area of your living space.  

HEPA Filtration Advantages

The products that use high efficiency particulate air or simply HEPA are considered the most effective. These filters must comply with the highest demands regarding particle removal. The spores of molds range from 1 to 5 microns in size, which means a high quality filter must be able to trap particles that are as small as 1 micron.

The HEPA filters have successfully proven to remove up to 99.97% of indoor air particles that have the size of .03 microns. In order to be 100% sure that you’re provided with the desired filtration level, make sure to pick an item that is equipped with genuine HEPA filters. Make certain not to choose the so-called HEPA-like devices.

The very moment mold spores are trapped in the filter, they are rendered inert. Due to the sterile and dry environment, the spores are not able to withstand it. If you make sure to change the HEPA filter on a regular basis, you will ensure your device will work efficiently.  

Health-Friendly Environment

If you continue to use HEPA air purifiers equipped with carbon pre-filtration, you will keep your living area air clean and fresh. This genuine system is developed so that mold spores, once trapped, get neutralized before you even breathe them in. Air purifier is your number one secret weapon against mold!

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