Air Purifiers & Mold Allergy Relief

Mold - the microscopic fungi that invades your home to expose you and your family to severe health risks. Although mold comprises the "blue" of bleu cheese, it is neither tasty nor inviting when it's invading your home. Now more than ever, allergy and asthma sufferers (and even those who aren't allergic to mold) are looking for a solution to their mold troubles.
Are air purifiers the answer to mold problems?

Inside the home, molds like Alternaria, Aspergillus Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium and Stachybotrys grow frequently in places that are warm, damp, and dark. However, mold itself does not trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions. Instead, the microscopic mold spores (seeds) floating through the air cause coughing, wheezing, stuffy and runny noses in those who are allergic. These awful mold spores make indoor and outdoor air quality unbearable for some. As tiny mold spores float in the air and evade the protective mechanisms of your respiratory system, you'll find comfort in the fact that there are effective ways to reduce and eliminate mold in your home.

Most air purifiers combat the multiplying presence of mold using a very powerful weapon: the HEPA air filter. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters excel at trapping microscopic particles. True HEPA filters must meet strict standards of efficiency, capturing a minimum of 99.97% of pollutants at 0.3 microns.

As mold spores range between one and five microns in size, HEPA filters are certified and proven to remove virtually all airborne mold spores. Thus, air purifiers provide mold allergy relief. Ensure that your air purifier contains a HEPA filter by looking on the package. Each HEPA filter is marked accordingly and represents the strict guidelines for which HEPA certification requires.

HEPA filters eliminate mold spores by filtering the airborne spores from the air and trapping them within the HEPA filter. To effectively filter mold spores, place the air purifier where mold is frequently found: basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms with upholstered furniture. Replace your HEPA filter frequently, as advised on the packaging, to ensure that your air purifier will continue to provide air free and clear of mold spores.

Austin Air Allergy Machine air purifiers include HEPA filters which consistently rank as #1 in the world. Also included in the Austin Air Allergy Machine air purifiers is a special patented HEGA (High Efficiency Gas Adsorber) filter which eliminates not only airborne contaminants like pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, but also odors, gases, and smoke. This innovative combination provides fresher, cleaner air for you and your family.

For industrial strength protection against airborne contaminants, the AllerAir 6000 series air purifiers come with effective HEPA filters as well as two antimicrobial filters to eliminate mold, viruses, and bacteria. AllerAir air purifiers also come with an activated carbon filter which eliminates Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), chemicals, gases, and odors.

However, nothing can top the air cleaning abilities of the NQ Clarifier air purifiers. The NQ Clarifier air purifier is the only air purifier that provides five stages of unmatched filtration. Within the NQ Clarifier's five stages of air purification are: a Polyester Pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, a carbon filter, a carbon post-filter, and two ultraviolet lamps that efficiently kill airborne microorganisms. The NQ Clarifier air purifier offers hospital-grade filtration that will guard against chemicals, VOCs, odors, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and of course, mold spores.

Also, 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 home's humidity levels, use dehumidifiers to lower the humidity if necessary, and place HEPA air purifiers in problem areas.

Air purifiers offer the perfect solution to filter out airborne mold spores. But don't forget to vacuum! Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters will eliminate mold spores on your carpet and rugs. Vacuum regularly with your HEPA vacuum cleaner to ensure that your rugs and carpets remain clean of mold colonies.

And for the nasty black spots and smears of mold colonies on countertops and shower heads, use special cleaners like M-1 House Wash, M-1 Sure Cote, or MoldZyme.

Don't let mold take over your home. Breathe easier with a HEPA air purifier.

Scott Smith is an expert on indoor air quality and air purifiers at achooallergy.com.