Indoor Air Purifier
Often the most polluted air you will breathe is not out on the street, where cars and other traffic can sure kick out a lot of exhaust, but inside our own homes and in stores, offices and other buildings where there are less 'visible' types of pollution. Because we typically spend so much time indoors, and because there is little we can do to affect the outdoor air pollution situation in the short term, indoor air purifiers are an essential component of any healthy home.
Even if it were possible to have a hermetically sealed home in which nothing of the outside air could get in, we would still be faced with indoor air pollution problems. These can come in many guises, but the most common forms would be dust, mold spores, pet dander and pollens. Luckily, most indoor air purifiers are very good at eliminating these kind of airborne pollutants.
Before even beginning with cleaning the air, however, it is important to assess the sources of pollution in your home, and reduce or eliminate them. Mold, in particular, is a very insidious kind of thing, that can often be completely hidden from us visually, but the spores make their way into our air. Mold requires water to grow, although not much water is needed. Often, just the condensation from pipe 'sweat' in enough, particularly if it is in a contained area, like inside a wall. Properly insulated walls with a vapour barrier will generally not have this problem. If you notice outward signs on the walls, such as bumps or the paint peeling, there could be a moisture problem within the wall.
Other places for mold to grow is under sinks, in air conditioning units, behind refrigerators, and pretty much any other place where there is enough moisture and warmth for it to thrive.
Pet dander and dust are difficult to erase at the source. We make a choice to live with pets, and therefore we have to put up with some of the issues that are a result. Giving your animals a good brushing on a regular basis will help to reduce the amount of fur that flies into the air, but it wont' solve the problem completely. Similarly, regular vacuuming with a good vacuum cleaner will help reduce dust, but it will not be eliminated entirely.
HEPA filters are the best systems for removing particulate from the air, though the newer filterless systems are quite good too. The HEPA filter is so fine it can remove particles that are as small as 0.3 microns, about 0.00001 of an inch! They are excellent at removing the usual suspects of dust, mold spores, and dander, but also can eliminate some airborne bacteria.
A UV air purifier is a good choice when concerned about viruses and bacteria. These air purifiers basically 'zap' the air with ultraviolet radiation, and kill pathogens. They do not, however, remover particulate unless combined with a filter.
Filterless air purifiers are becoming popular, as some poorer quality air filters can actually become a breeding ground for mold. Also, the reduced cost of not having to replace filters, and easy maintenance of simply wiping the plates clean is an inducement. However, the electrostatic action of filterless air purifiers can create ozone, which can then become harmful to health. In an enclosed space, filterless and ionic air purifiers have been known to create harmful levels of ozone, so care must be taken.
Whatever system is best for you and your household will depend on the kind of air pollution you are dealing with, the environment it will operate in, and the budget you are willing to put into it. There are many choices available in the marketplace, and many are quite reasonable. Having an air purifier is a great choice from a healthy home perspective. The results should be noticeable as soon as you start running the system. If you are concerned about your and your family's health, this is the way to go.
If you have any reason to suspect that you may have a mold problem in your house, then it is a good idea to consider getting professional mold testing done. This is an expense that most homeowner
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Mold is a kind of fungus which reproduces by creating tiny particles called spores. These spores are designed to become airborne, thus helping the mold spread. When inhaled, these spores can
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