Relief From Mold and Mildew Allergies - Can Air Purifiers Help?

Relief From Mold and Mildew Allergies - Can Air Purifiers Help?
4 min read
17 October 2022

I used to start sneezing, sniffling and asthma from mold and mildew exposure (although my allergies also included dust, pollen, and pets). Shots at the allergist and medications were a weekly routine. I began to

Experiment with air purifiers and air cleaners of all kinds at age 11. When allergic to mold you'll try anything for relief.

 

Thirty years of experience has given me a lot of experience with air purifiers and mold problems. The following represent the primary types of air purification, with a quick rating on their effectiveness for mold and mildew allergies.

 

Electrostatic Plates

An electrostatic machine is basically a machine with positive and negatively charged plates. Oreck may call these plates "Truman Cell" (maybe it stands for Harry Truman??) but they're most often called "ionic" or "electrostatic". Works for pollution since carbon from car exhaust is charged, and they are washable but since most pollen and dust carries little charge however they are not effective for pollen or dust or mold FOR MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED POOR

 

HEPA Filters

The 1st choice for allergies like pollen and dust HEPA traps and holds pollen and dust. Allergists recommend it most. The downside = you have to replace it every year or so. It will remove mold spores to reduce the spread of mold but will not kill mold or mildew. If you include HEPA find affordable replacement filters as some companies can soak you after you own their Heaps air purifier. Avoid the expensive air purifiers like IQAIR ($and Austin Air which are primarily HEPA and forget about them for mold & mildew. They're over-priced for a HEPA filter, and even though they are well made you can find better mold air purifiers for less than $300. MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED FAIR (removes mold spores only)

 

Ozone Producing Air Purifier Machines

Ozone, which is is simply Oxygen with an added particle of oxygen (o3), works for odor, mold, and mildew, but is not good for gathering pollen and dust. Too much ozone will irritate the lungs, especially in asthmatics. Ozone machines did little for allergies. Today's primary Ozone brand is Ecoquest (formerly Alpine). MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED EXCELLENT FOR MOLD AND MILDEW REMOVAL, BUT DANGEROUS TO LUNGS.

 

Ionizers Air Purifiers

Ionizers put negative ions into the air. Will kill some forms of mildew, pollution, and odor, but not very good for pollen or dust since there is nothing to collect the pollen in the air. MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED FAIR

 

Carbon and/or Zeolite

Primarily for smoke, chemicals, odors and fumes since these organic minerals absorb and trap gases. Not effective in any way for mold or mildew. But they do not trap dust and pollen. MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED POOR

 

Ultraviolet (UV) Air Purifiers

UV (ultraviolet light) and Tio2 (Titanium dioxide - nanotechnology) are used by hospitals and dentists because they kill bacteria, germs, and mold/mildew. UV light has a frequency which kills micro-organisms and hence is effective for mold, while Tio2 magnifies UV light up to 1000 times MOLD & MILDEW ALLERGIES: RATED EXCELLENT AND SAFE.

 

So: Should You Buy A "UV ONLY" AIR PURIFIER?

I would avoid UV only air purifiers and get a combination of UV, Tio2, HEPA and Ion. That's because you can find many air purifiers for $200-300 using a combination of these technologies to do an effective job on mold and mildew, plus clean the air completely.

Tags:-  sneaker odor remover/ foot odor remover

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sharmasuku 2
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