Will A Hepa Filter Catch Mold Spores
Practise Air Purifiers Assistance with Indoor Mold?
Are you concerned nigh mold in your home? Mold can invade and rapidly spread without you realizing information technology, leading to a range of short and long-term health furnishings.Find out everything you need to know and encounter our recommendation on the best air purifiers for mold.
By Dan Mottola
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Mold can invade your home and rapidly spread without you realizing information technology, ultimately putting your loved ones at take chances. Mold issues may outset in a lesser-used expanse with high temperatures and humidity such as a garage or attic, only the microscopic spores can spread throughout the air and brainstorm reproducing in the walls of your habitation leading to a range of short and long-term health effects.
A lot of people have questions virtually what mold is, how to identify mold, the unlike types of household mold, and if air purifiers help with mold — so we've detailed everything you need to know in this comprehensive guide.
What is mold and how does it grow?
Mold is a type of fungus made upwards of microscopic organisms that grows in places that are warm, damp, and night. In nature, mold acts equally a decomposition agent and is crucial for the breakdown of dead organic thing such equally plants. However, when mold is found indoors it tin be dangerous to the area'due south inhabitants.
Similar all living things, mold needs water, food, and oxygen to live and grow. Areas with high humidity or exposure to water leaks are ideal for mold because they provide plenty of wet. To get the nutrients it needs to grow, mold volition feed off of the surface it grows on resulting in disuse. Certain surfaces provide ideal growing conditions for mold such equally paper and wood, but it tin can also grow on fabric, plastic, and glass surfaces as well. In fact, different types of mold thrive well on different surfaces. For example, cladosporium is a type that ordinarily grows on carpets, while alternaria is typically found in showers or bathtubs.
Equally mold grows, it releases reproductive spores that travel through the air. These spores are microscopic, significant you lot won't be able to see them without extreme magnification. As spores travel through the air, they will attach to objects such every bit clothing, or even other living beings such as pets. This is generally how mold enters a home, at which point it will movement from location to location until information technology finds a spot with ideal growing conditions. Some spores will easily movement and settle multiple times, while others volition cling to surfaces and will only dislodge after direct contact with another surface.
The EPA notes that "Spores may remain able to grow for years after they are produced. In addition, whether or not the spores are alive, the allergens in and on them may remain allergenic for years."
How to examination for and identify mold
What does mold look like? You lot may have an idea, but the various types of mold can make this a lot more disruptive than you'd remember. In fact, a lot of people commonly error mold for dirt which tin can have serious health implications when left untreated. To help you place mold, follow these steps to check and test for mold in your home.
1. Exercise a bleach swab exam on concerning spots
If you see a spot and are concerned it's mold, dip a cotton fiber swab in diluted bleach and swipe on the area. If the area you lot touched with the bleach swab lightens after a minute or two — yous may be dealing with one of the various types of mold. On the other hand, if the area remains dark — it'due south likely just dirt.
2. Probe the area to see if information technology crumbles
If the area appears to exist mold based on stride one, you'll want to determine if it's just surface level damage or deeper. If the area seems sturdy and texturally the same it's probable but a surface level mold that can be cleaned with a bleach solution. However, if the surface area feels soft or crumbles, information technology means the fungi have spread which creates rot every bit information technology feeds off nearby surfaces.
3. Check for leaks
You should check for nearby water leaks anytime you find mold in your habitation. Get-go by looking at pipes near the area with mold, only likewise check pipes in surrounding rooms — every bit water tin travel in any direction one time absorbed into fabric such as drywall. Prepare any leaks you find, but if none are institute you'll want to start looking for wet spots on walls and ceilings. Cheque both indoors and outdoors for areas where h2o might be leaking in. Pay special attending to downspouts where water flows out near a wall, equally this can cause rot over time. Too, check the area around indoor vents for signs of mold — every bit this could indicate an insulation problem with the air duct.
Once you lot've identified whether an surface area of concern is mold, how deep the mold goes, and have an idea where it'south coming from — the side by side step is to notice out which type of mold you're dealing with then you tin understand what you lot've been exposed to and take the necessary steps to remove information technology from your home.
Different types of household mold
Have yous always wondered why mold on cheese is fine to consume, simply mold inside a dwelling house is considered hazardous? In that location are several types of mold, some of which are more than dangerous than others. In fact, in that location are thousands of types of mold which take a range of colors such as green, blue, white, or black among others.
Additionally, each blazon of mold falls under one or more than classifications that reflect its potential danger to humans and pets:
- Allergenic Mold: This common type of mold causes allergies and may also consequence in structural damage to exposed homes.
- Pathogenic Mold: Pathogenic mold can cause infections (even for people in good health), and is especially dangerous for individuals with a compromised immune system from another illness or age factors.
- Toxigenic Mold: These molds produce and release toxic substances called "mycotoxins" which are a serious health risk when inhaled.
When it comes to protecting your domicile, here are the virtually common types of indoor mold to be aware of:
Acremonium
Acremonium is a toxigenic mold that starts out every bit a small moist spot, but transforms into a powdery substance that could be pinkish, grey, orange, or white. Acremonium grows in areas where condensation occurs, such every bit humidifiers, cooling coils, drain pans, or window sealants. Acremonium is also known to grow alongside other types of mold such as Stachbotrys (black mold) and other strains. Exposure to Acremonium is incredibly dangerous, as it has the potential to harm the immune system, internal organs, and bone marrow.
Alternaria
Alternaria is an allergenic mold and is one of the most common types of mold institute outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, it'southward typically found on soil or plants, but tin can brand its style indoors on shoes or habiliment. One time inside, the mold can spread and typically grows effectually showers or bathtubs. You lot can recognize Alternaria by it's velvet-texture, comprised of dark green and brown hairs. While most molds simply thrive in moist conditions, Alternaria is unsafe because it can abound just as easily in dry areas and it spreads incredibly fast. It's nearly apropos for its potential to cause asthma attacks, but information technology can also cause allergy symptoms as well.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is some other type of allergenic mold that thrives in a moist surroundings, and is known for being able to feed off a staggering variety of organic textile for nutrients. It's known to grow on leather and fabrics, only can also grow on food among other surfaces. You lot tin recognize Aspergillus by it's long, flask-shaped spores that come in a variety of colors. It may even appear to exist multiple colors, such as black on the surface with a white or yellow undertone. When it comes to health effects, Aspergillus has been linked to allergic reactions and lung infections.
Chaetomium
Chaetomium is a pathogenic and sometimes toxigenic mold that typically appears in h2o damaged areas. Chaetomium is characterized past a cotton-like texture, and it transforms from a white to gray and eventually black color over time. You're most probable to come across this type of mold near a leaking roof, sink, or basement and you may besides notice it having a musty smell. Common symptoms of Chaetomium exposure include pare and nail infections, only the mycotoxins information technology produces can likewise lead to more than concerning issues for individuals with weakened immune systems.
Cladosporium
Cladosporium is an allergenic mold that also thrives in a moist surroundings, and is commonly found on carpets or wallpaper. It appears in clusters of black, yellow, or green spots that spread rapidly if not quickly treated. In fact, Cladosporium can fifty-fifty spread under floorboards due to its power to survive in both warm and cold weather condition. Cladosporium typically causes allergies, only exposure also has the potential to cause respiratory issues such as lung infections that can be more severe which is why information technology should be removed immediately.
Fusarium
Fusarium is both an allergenic and toxigenic type of mold that tends to grow in areas that are common cold and wet, often appearing indoors on carpets. You'll typically find Fusarium growing on fabrics, merely it can also grow quickly on food. The mold unremarkably appears with a pink, white, or blood-red color. People sensitive to molds may experience flu-similar symptoms when exposed to Fusarium, while those with asthma may experience wheezing and coughing. The toxins produced past Fusarium as well cause impairment to the nervous system that can atomic number 82 to internal bleeding later on prolonged exposure.
Mucor
Mucor is an allergenic mold that has a white or grey appearance and grows apace in thick patches, usually well-nigh air-conditioning systems, air ducts, or damp carpets. Mucor causes wellness issues in the respiratory system including asthma symptoms and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to Mucor can also lead to the development of mucormycosis, which is a fungal infection that damages the sinuses, lungs, and brain. As a result of Mucor'due south danger, it should simply exist treated past professionals with proper safety gear.
Penicillium
You may take misread this as Penicillin (the commonly used antibody), but Penicillin is actually derived from Penicillium mold. While Penicillium mold is used to brand medicine, it is by no means healthy. In fact, Penicillium spores are associated with respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic sinusitis. You lot can recognize Penicillium mold by its blueish or green colour and velvet texture. It's commonly institute on surfaces with water damage such every bit carpets, wallpapers, and mattresses. Penicillium mold spores can too spread quickly from room to room, so make sure to cheque the entire business firm if you lot do notice it.
Stachybotrys (Black Mold)
Often referred to as "black mold" or "toxic mold", Stachybotrys is indeed a toxigenic mold that appears in black or dark green clumps and requires constant wet to thrive. Stachybotrys has a nighttime green or blackness color with a slimy texture. In addition to it's dark appearance, it has a notably musty smell. Constant moisture is essential for Stachobotrys to grow, and so you'll typically find it growing on materials such every bit wood or paper-thin in areas with high humidity for several weeks.
Trichoderma
Concluding but non least, is Trichoderma — a type of allergenic mold that grows on moisture surfaces and moist areas such every bit wallpaper and rug. Trichoderma is recognizable by its white color and green patches. While Trichoderma is generally not-pathogenic, some species of this blazon of mold practice produce and release mycotoxins that can lead to wellness problems such as liver infections. Trichoderma also contains an enzyme that destroys wood and textile, making information technology extremely dangerous for the structural integrity of your abode if it finds its way into walls.
Mildew vs Mold
When looking at a potential mold spot in your home, it'southward important to determine if the expanse is mold or mildew. Both refer to fungi that thrive in warm areas with enough of moisture, but there are physical differences in mold and mildew that can help you identify which one you're dealing with. Tactics used to remove mildew volition probable prove ineffective against mold, so make sure yous know what you're dealing with earlier taking action.
What is Mildew?
Much like mold, mildew is a fungus that can chop-chop grow on a plethora of surfaces such every bit fabric, paper, leather, and more than. Mildew thrives in places that are warm and moist, and you can recognize information technology as gray or white fungal patches that appear on surfaces with these conditions. Because mildew thrives in wet conditions, it is most unremarkably found in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where water is present and you lot can identify it past a potent musty aroma.
As with mold, mildew travels via airborne spores and the inhalation of these spores may cause health bug such as coughing, headaches, or trouble breathing. Generally nonetheless, mildew is considered much less dangerous than mold.
What is the divergence betwixt mold and mildew?
Although mildew and mold share many similarities, there are a few central differences yous should be enlightened of that can help you determine which 1 you're dealing with and how to go on with removal:
- Appearance : Mildew is easily identifiable by it's white or gray colour and strong musty odor that appears on the surface of afflicted areas, whereas mold comes in a range of colors and types. Mildew also grows in small patches as shown in the featured image above, and its texture is usually fluffy or powdery. By comparison, mold tends to be fuzzy or slimy and grows below the surface (or within) afflicted areas.
- Structural Impairment : Mildew typically only grows on the surface of affected areas, meaning it'southward much less damaging than mold which will grow well into wood or other materials resulting in crumbling and the loss of structural integrity.
- Health Effects : While both mildew and mold have negative health effects from exposure, mold is far more than dangerous. Mildew spores may crusade allergy-similar symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing, whereas mold exposure has potentially fatal symptoms depending on the afflicted individual and type of mold they were exposed to.
Removal : Mildew is much easier to remove than mold, which typically requires professional assistance and specialized equipment to treat. Considering mildew only grows on the surface and has only minor health furnishings, you can typically remove it with a commercial cleaner and scrubbing castor (just make certain to article of clothing gloves and a face mask). By comparison, mold penetrates beneath surfaces at a microscopic level and is able to survive in extreme conditions, and then you'll likely demand professional help to completely eradicate it.
Mold health risks
Mold sensitivity varies from person to person, so it's possible you may not experience whatsoever symptoms while someone in the aforementioned household could simultaneously be dealing with severe problems.
The near common problematic symptoms from mold exposure are from allergic or asthmatic reactions, which may be immediately noticeable or develop from prolonged exposure. In improver to the mold growing on surfaces, the airborne spores can besides contribute to problematic symptoms.
Mold allergy and asthmatic symptoms:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- A stuffy or runny olfactory organ
- Sneezing
- Watery, cerise, or itchy eyes
- A sore throat
- Skin irritation or rashes
- Sinusitis
Although people who are allergic to mold are well-nigh probable to experience these symptoms, in some cases non-allergenic individuals may also experience problems. For people with asthma, mold can brand breathing more than difficult or even act as a trigger for asthma attacks. In severe cases, mold may even cause a fever or difficulty breathing.
Furthermore, in 2004 the Institute of Medicine published a landmark report entitled Damp Indoor Space and Health which linked mold exposure to "upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons."
Do air purifiers help with mold?
Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat agile mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a dandy way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
If you don't have a mold problem merely are concerned about information technology becoming an result, an air purifier will help capture mold spores that enter your abode before they have a chance to land on surfaces where they tin grow and crusade problems. If you are currently dealing with a mold issue in your domicile, you lot should utilise an air purifier in conjunction with traditional surface treatments to forbid mold spores from spreading to other areas.
What's the best air purifier for mold?
The best air purifiers for mold are those that utilise True HEPA filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and these filters are highly effective at capturing microscopic particles such equally mold spores plant in the air.
Truthful HEPA filters are even more than constructive than regular HEPA filters, as True HEPA filters are subject to fifty-fifty stricter standards of efficiency. Typical HEPA filters are rated to capture 99.97% of particles larger than 0.iii microns. Alen'due south True HEPA filters capture at least 99.99% of all particles 0.1 microns or greater in size, co-ordinate to third party lab testing. For reference, mold spores are usually between two and ten microns in size. This ways True HEPA filters are an effective way to address airborne mold spores in your home.
One thing that's important to consider when choosing an air purifier to control mold, is the size of the room you lot'll be placing information technology. In gild to effectively operate, you lot'll need an air purifier that can circulate and clean all of the air in a room in a reasonable corporeality of time.
For large rooms and common areas, we recommend the Alen BreatheSmart 75i which cleans 1,300 square feet every xxx minutes. Perfect for the living room or main bedroom, this air purifier quietly operates to circulate air and capture mold spores.
We Recommend
If the room is a chip smaller such as a child'due south bedroom or home office, we recommend the Alen BreatheSmart 45i which provides coverage for upward to 800 square anxiety. Much similar the BreatheSmart 75i, this purifier operates at a whisper-tranquillity noise level every bit it cleans the room's air.
We Recommend
Have questions about which air purifier is right for you? Check out our in-depth buying guide or accept our air purifier quiz to help find a purifier to encounter the unique needs of your home.
Will A Hepa Filter Catch Mold Spores,
Source: https://alen.com/blogs/articles/do-air-purifiers-help-with-indoor-mold
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