How can we stop mold growth?
The most important steps to controlling mold growth are to clean any existing mold and to eliminate excessive moisture. You can take numerous precautionary steps:
• Vacuum and clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth paying special attention to bathrooms.
• Do NOT store materials such as paper, books, clothes, or other possible sources of food for mold in humid parts of your home.
• Clean refrigerator drip pans regularly and remove any mold on the door gaskets and replace faulty gaskets.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside.
• Repair water leaks in your roof, windows, or any other part of the home as soon as possible.
• If your home has an attic or crawlspace, make sure it is properly insulated and ventilated.
These are a few hints, remember, mold will not grow in climates below 45% relative humidity.
Keeping A Healthy Home - Air Filtration
"There is no practical means to limit exposure to pollutants outdoors. However, at least half of a 24-hour day is spent indoors, and air conditioning with high-efficiency air filtration can markedly decrease indoor exposure."
- Environmental Control Measures for Asthma Miles Weinberger, M.D.; Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonary Division
Air Filtration
A good air filter is essential to reduce common allergens and airborne particles, reducing allergy and asthma attacks. It is estimated that Americans spend as much as 95% of their time indoors...why spend that time breathing dust mites, mold spores and pet dander? Upgrading your air filter will provide relief to everyone - even if you do not suffer from allergies or asthma. One caution, though: filters must be maintained and changed regularly to provide a benefit. Failure to change out filters could damage your air-conditioning system.
Which Filter/System is Right for Your Home?
Before spending money on an air purification system that may not meet the unique needs of your home, have an indoor air survey performed. Whether your home is less than 1 year old or over 100 years old, you most likely have an indoor air pollution concentration higher than that outdoors. The more time spent in a polluted indoor environment increases the chances of developing respiratory problems. The very young, elderly, those suffering from allergies or asthma, and the immunocompromised are at greater risk.
Filters Can:
- Remove particulates from the air. The efficiency of a filter is graded using the MERV Scale.
- Capture viruses and bacteria
- Capture mold spores
- Capture dust mite fragments and fecal matter
- Carbon filters can remove gasses from the air
Filters Cannot:
- Kill viruses and bacteria
- Kill nor rid your home of mold
- Kill nor rid your home of dust mites
- Rid your home of radon
Comfort
Air purification is a critical component of good indoor air quality. Even the best kept home will have dust, pollen, mold spores and other allergens in the air.
A healthy indoor living environment can improve your lungs ability to rest, recuperate and heal. According to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, allergy and asthma symptoms may improve over time if the indoor environment is properly controlled.
According to the American Lung Association, poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue.
Good air filtration, though, is only a part of the solution. For a complete solution to indoor air quality, you will need to have good ventilation, humidity controls and protect the building envelope itself. For more information, you can view the following site www.healthyairusa.com or contact me directly. Hope this provides some helpful information and resource for you. If you have any comments or questions, please share.