Mold Removal: Does an Air Purifier Remove Mold?

Mold spores can be found throughout the environment, including inside your home. As a result, the air quality indoors has an impact on your family’s health. People have been using air purifiers to get rid of airborne contaminants and airborne bacteria for decades. But the question is: does an air purifier help with mold?

The air purifier has become especially popular in the last couple of years. That’s mainly because people have been forced to spend more time in their homes and have become more aware of the quality of the air they breathe. 

In this article, we’ll look at mold and its dangers, how air purifiers work, and whether they can effectively remove mold.

What is Mold?

Mold spores are microscopic organisms that live in soil and use plants, wood, paper, and other organic material as a food sources.   Mold spreads by releasing spores into the air that can be inhaled or settled on surfaces. These spores then grow into mold colonies that release allergens into the environment.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), molds produce allergens that can cause or worsen respiratory problems like asthma. If you’ve ever noticed your allergies acting up after it rains or in musty basements, this is because molds are more prevalent in damp conditions. 

Many people don’t realize that mold exposure can be dangerous; however, it is considered a leading environmental cause of illness. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies molds as “serious health hazards” and claims that the most significant risk is an allergic reaction. This occurs when an allergy sufferer breathes in mold spores, which can cause symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and eye irritation. 

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

It’s important to understand how an air purifier actually runs before answering the question “does an air purifier help with mold?.” In general, air purifiers work through a system of filtration methods to improve the quality of air in your home. 

For most air purifiers, the pollutants are removed through a physical filtration method. These machines work on the principle of interception, in which airborne particles are collected when they come into contact with a surface capable of trapping them.  

A common physical filtration method is a HEPA filter, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA filters are capable of trapping very small particles, including mold spores and other allergens, in the filter material. 

Does an Air Purifier Help with Mold?

Using an air purifier can help improve indoor air quality by trapping mold spores.  However, you will still be subjected to the other indoor air pollutants that were not trapped. Due to this fact, an air purifier may remove mold from the immediate environment but it will not get rid of all of the spores in your home. Furthermore, mold can grow and spread quickly, and air purifiers are unable to stop its growth since they lack detection capabilities. 

Therefore, the most effective air purifiers may be able to reduce the amount of mold spores floating in your home, but they won’t eliminate them entirely. If you are concerned about indoor air quality and want to remove mold using a purifier, consider contacting the professionals at PuroClean. We use more advanced technology for the testing and removal of airborne pollutants.

What is the Best Air Purifier for Mold? 

Not all air purifiers are created the same. There are several varieties of air purifiers, but the best air purifiers for removing mold spores from indoor air are HEPA air purifiers. A true HEPA filter captures 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles, including dust and other allergens, and an even higher percentage of larger particles. Since mold spores are usually about 1-20 microns, HEPA filters are perfect for extracting spores from the air.

It’s important to be aware, however, that even though HEPA air purifiers can efficiently filter mold spores out of the air, you need to remove the mold first if you have a mold problem in your home. They will release mold spores but can’t remove the mold growth, which puts the mold spores in the air.

It’s best to call a mold restoration company to get rid of a mold problem. These companies use specialized equipment and techniques to detect and remove mold growth and restore affected surfaces.

A less common but highly effective option is to use a PECO air purifier. Unlike HEPA filtration, PECO technology has been shown, in some cases, to completely oxidize and destroy pollutants such as mold, bacteria, and even viruses.

There are a couple of features to look for in order to buy an effective and smart air purifier. One feature is an activated carbon filter. This special filter will help with removing any mold odors from your home. Some even come with a UV-C light. This type of UV light filter works to reduce mold spore reproduction. 

Pay attention as well to the clean air delivery rate. This is a standard measurement that ensures that any air purifier performs how the manufacturer says it will. These standards are defined by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

So, Does an Air Purifier Help with Mold?

In a nutshell, while effective air purifiers can help you with clean air, they should not be used to treat an underlying mold problem. Mold growth in your home should be treated and removed to prevent the spread of pollutants. After removing the cause, breathe easily by using an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

Because of the dangers mold poses, reaching out to a professional mold remediation company is the best course of action. For small areas of mold affecting surfaces less than ten square feet, you can check out this blog for some home tips you can safely try. Be aware that these are not the same procedures and tools the professionals would use. 

Call PuroClean of Victor Heights, Los Angeles for Safe and Effective Mold Remediation

Mold growth is dangerous to your family and your home. Although an air purifier can be a convenient and easy way to have cleaner air, if you suspect mold growth in your home, it’s best to reach out to a professional (especially if the mold affects an area larger than ten square feet). 

At PuroClean of Victor Heights, our technicians are available 24/7 to assist with mold remediation. We have the knowledge, skills, and state-of-the-art equipment to safely take care of the problem for you.