Do Air Purifiers Eliminate Mould from Homes?
As mould is a common problem in many properties, people have been trying to prevent it in various ways. In the past few decades, air purifiers have been used in the attempt to get rid of mould allergens. But are all air purifiers efficient at removing mould from the air? And can air purifiers get rid of mould in a home? Let’s find out below:
What Are Mould Spores?
Moulds are a vital part of nature and can be found virtually everywhere. Mould spores are airborne microscopic particles that act as the “seeds” which mould needs in order to spread. While mould spores are also present in homes, the actual visible mould grows only when it has the right conditions. It requires a source of food (such as walls), moisture, and warm temperatures. Unfortunately, most homes meet those requirements, causing potential health risks.
How Does Mould Affect Our Health?
Not all people are equalliy affected by mould. The most at-risk individuals are those who are allergic to mould or suffer from asthma. Mould allergy symptoms include sneezing; itchy eyes, nose, and throat; watery eyes; redness of the eyes; runny nose; coughs; and skin rashes. Even if you’re not allergic to mould, long-term exposure may cause several problems, such as irritant reactions (headache, skin irritation, eye irritation, and coughs). The amount of mould in properties should be minimized to avoid such health hazards.
What Do Air Purifiers Do?
There are several types of air purifiers. Those that are the most effective at removing mould spores from indoor air are high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifiers. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles, including dust and other allergens, and an even higher percentage of larger particles. Since mould spores are usually about 1-20 microns, the HEPA filter is perfect for extracting mould spores from the air. However, air purifiers should not be used to treat the underlying problem.
What Air Purifiers Don’t Do
Although HEPA air purifiers can filter mould spores out of the air, the mould that releases mould spores in the air must be removed first. Air purifiers do remove mould spores, but can’t remove the mould growth which put the mould spores in the air. To get rid of a mould problem, it’s best to call a mould restoration company. These companies use specialized equipment and techniques to detect and remove mould growth. They also dry and restore affected surfaces according to industry standards.
The Bottom Line
Air purifiers can be a great help to those who are allergic or sensitive to mould spores. These machines can filter out mould spores and other allergens from the air. In addition, air purifiers can help prevent mould growth by stopping mould spores from spreading. However, air purifiers won’t kill the mould that’s already growing on surfaces. To get rid of the mould infestation, it should be removed and the moisture problem must be fixed.
The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water, or mould damage. Call PuroClean of North Simcoe and Muskoka at (705) 710-0606.
