Air Purifiers and Mold in Your Home
There are various types of air purification systems out there designed for use in your home. They use a number of different types of technology and not all are created equal, as it turns out. You may be under the impression that mold spores are among the list of problems that they are touted to ameliorate, but in some cases, you’d actually be wrong.
Here’s a look at three of the most common types on the market.
Hepa Air Filters
Hepa Air Filtration systems were developed by the military during the Second World War for use in cleaning radioactive dust out of the air – so you can be sure they work well when designed and manufactured properly by a reputable manufacturer.
– They’re 99.7% effective at removing particles from the air as tiny as 0.3 microns.
– The technology captures the particles and they’re permanently removed from the air.
– They remove mold spores along with many other allergens, including dust mites and pollens, and are popular with allergy sufferers as a result.
– One caveat – the micro-organisms it collects can actually live and reproduce in the filter.
– Air has to actually pass through the filter for it to work, so you have to consider the size of the room and placement of the filtration system.
Air Ionizers
Air Ionizing systems create negative ions that magnetically attract airborne particles. Basically what happens is that the particles collect and become too large to circulate in the air, so they drop to the ground or collect as dust on furniture and walls.
– They can remove particles as small at 0.1 microns from circulation in your home.
– They will circulate the air so that one unit can work through a larger space.
– They may freshen the air while they’re in operation, but don’t do much about mold – they don’t permanently collect or remove particles from the air and don’t kill mold or other fungi.
Activated Carbon Air Filters
Activated Carbon Air Filters are essentially a form of carbon (sometimes charcoal) that has been processed to be very porous. The pores are extremely absorbent, and will attract fumes, gases, smoke and odours.
– They do not re-release collected materials back into the air, so they can be effective at “freshening” the air.
– This type of system doesn’t do anything about mold spores or other micro-organisms.
While Hepa Filters do present a viable, if limited, solution for removing mold spores from the air in your home, it’s important to remember that they are at best a bandaid solution. If mold spores are an issue, then your only effective solution is to have your home tested for mold and then take remediation action if it’s found.
If you suspect mold in your home, do yourself a favour and call Mold Inspections for a quote today.
MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and recommended by contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.