Rainfalls can lead to mold and health problems

Extreme weather events and heavy rains can lead
to mold growth in homes, experts warn.

When heavy rain moves through regions, homeowners need to watch out for water infiltration, which unchecked could lead to mold and health concerns, experts warn.

Allergy and immunology experts say that rainfalls and other extreme weather conditions may turn even small leaks into significant health risks, if mold starts to grow.

Rain can hit clogged gutters, back up under eaves and drip into the home, water can get under crawl spaces or enter a home through tiny leaks that a homeowner may not be aware of or may not have gotten around to fixing.

The water infiltration can lead to structural problems in the home and to mold, which can lead to wheezing and aggravated asthma symptoms as well as nose and throat problems or other allergic-type reactions.

The mold can grow behind walls or in areas that are hidden from view, exposing the home’s residents to spores and mycotoxins.

After heavy rains and other weather events, homeowners should inspect the home and fix any water infiltration problems immediately to prevent mold from growing.

Source: The Augusta Chronicle

Air purifiers for mold can help provide cleaner air

Indoor air quality can be a concern at any time, but once mold becomes an issue, it can quickly turn into a source of irritants and pollutants.

AllerAir has developed air purifiers specifically for mold, which feature

• A deep-bed activated carbon filter for mycotoxins and odors associated with many molds
• A HEPA filter to trap mold spores and particles
• Pre-filters 
• Optional UV germicidal filtration, which neutralizes mold spores and other biological contaminants

The air purifiers remove not only mold spores and toxins, but also airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, allergens, bacteria and viruses.

"In the year 2000 I was diagnosed with multiple allergies (including molds), as well being chemically sensitive. As I suspected mold in my basement, my specialist recommended an air purifier from AllerAir. I placed my unit in my basement, and within 24 hours the moldy, musty smell had disappeared! I was so happy with your product, I purchased a second unit for my bedroom! I believe these air purifiers have improved the air quality in my home."
A. Morton, St. Thomas, Ontario
Read more testimonials

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Relative humidity a main indicator of indoor air quality

High humidity in homes can lead to mold growth,
structural problems and poor indoor air quality.

Homes can make relative humidity problems evident in many different ways: A musty closet and traces of mildew on some clothing, ice formation or humidity on windows during the winter, a damp basement.

In fact, many homes in North America suffer from humidity in basements during the summer months.

The reasons could be as varied as an absorbent soil and moisture migrating through a concrete foundation, condensation on cold concrete floors and walls during humid months, indoor activities such as showering, cooking and drying clothes and water leaks (which should be fixed promptly).

High levels of humidity in a home should be addressed, since they can lead to structural problems, mold growth and poor indoor air quality.

According to experts the relative humidity levels in a home should be between 35-60%. Any higher, and mold will start growing, any lower and home occupants may be uncomfortable due to dry mucous membranes.

Tips to manage indoor humidity levels:

• Use a dehumidifier (in the basement) when needed
• Use spot ventilation in those areas of the home where moisture is created, i.e. a kitchen exhaust fan, a bathroom fan, in the laundry room
• Install drainage inside and out
• Look into airtight vapor barriers to prevent moisture from seeping through the concrete floor
• Fix any water infiltration problems immediately

Please note: Making a home too airtight can lead to poor indoor air quality and related health symptoms. An airtight home may need an updated ventilation system and air cleaning equipment.

Source: The Republican Journal

Air purifiers for homes and offices

Controlled humidity will help prevent mold growth and some indoor air quality concerns – but the indoor air in many homes is still polluted by airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, allergens, bacteria and viruses.

Source control, ventilation and air filtration will help provide clean air throughout the entire year.

AllerAir offers serious home and office air purifiers with the most complete and longest-lasting air filters to remove the widest range of contaminants.

The air purifiers feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals, odors and fumes, a HEPA filter for particles and dust as well as optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of bacteria, viruses and molds.

Contact AllerAir for more information and see what other customers had to say in our testimonials section.
  

More floods in our future, report says

Climate change may bring more extreme weather and IAQ challenges

Heavy rainfall and floods can lead to mold
and poor indoor air quality in homes.

We may have to become more used to heavy rainfall and storms, according to a report by two environmental groups.

Heavy rains and severe flooding have already doubled in the Midwest in the last half-century and are part of a growing climate trend.

The research shows that during the past 50 years, the amount of precipitation falling during the heaviest rains increased nearly 20 percent. The largest increases were in the Midwest and the Northeast.

There are more frequent extreme storms and the average time between them has become shorter.

More floods and wetter seasons can mean an increase in mold spores and associated health problems.

The groups called on federal authorities to work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, support energy efficiency upgrades and green infrastructure techniques.

Source: Des Moines Register

Protect indoor air quality during extreme weather episodes

Wet weather may lead to more mold spores in the air, which can cause or aggravate respiratory conditions.

AllerAir has developed portable and powerful air purifiers for mold that can help control spores and other pollutants and provide cleaner, more breathable air.

The AirMedic+ series features the most efficient HEPA filters to trap particles and spores, a deep-bed activated carbon filter to remove odors, chemicals and mold mycotoxins and an optional UV light to neutralize mold spores and other biological contaminants.

The 360-degree air intake on AirMedics makes it such an efficient air purifier, it is also a popular choice for those affected by allergies and asthma.

Contact AllerAir for more information
  

Classes Cancelled at Two Conception Bay South Schools Due to Mold: St. George’s Elementary and Frank Roberts Junior High Affected

St. George’s Elementary and Frank Roberts Junior High, in the Long Pond neighborhood of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland have been temporarily closed to rectify a mold problem that has caused poor air quality in the two schools.

Complaints of unusual smells led to the identification of mold around classroom windows.

Health Canada along with Indoor Air Quality Experts warn the potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures may include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints—- especially in school children.

“Mold is a serious problem requiring both carbon and HEPA filtration to filter live mold spores, dead decaying fragments of mold spores as well as the dangerous mycotoxin gases mold produce when under stress,” said Indoor Air Quality Expert, B.Chem. Eng. Karen Hand. “Activated carbon is the safest and most effective method for adsorbing these harmful pollutants.”

When handling mold situations, Hand recommends the incorporation of air purifiers—especially when dealing with schools, where air quality is critical to the health and success of school children. “The school board will need to contact Indoor Air Quality Experts to discuss a customized air purification plan for the affected schools,” said Hand.

For more information on air purifiers and mold in schools, contact AllerAir at 888-852-8247.