So many companies are selling air purifiers for "better health". Those with asthma and outdoor pollen allergies look for better ways to manage their breathing health. Many companies that sell air purifiers claim to remove 99% of bacteria and mold. Bacteria is not usually airborne unless you have a lot of sick people sneezing in the space. Bacteria can be eliminated by using good hand washing practices and clean surfaces where food is being prepared. Additionally, operating indoor humidity at between 30% and 50% will greatly reduce airborne viruses and such.
Elevated levels of mold should never be in your home or commercial building and, if discovered, should be removed at the source by licensed and experienced mold remediator. So, to answer the question, "Do I need an air purifier in my home to remove mold and bacteria?" - the answer is, perhaps, depending upon your health status.
Mold management is not an option but mold removal or prevention is. Mold in your foundation crawlspace can create problems for your indoor air, possibly not as much as some would lead you to believe, but , it should also be checked.
Dust, dander and skin cells (dust mites) should be handled with routine and regular dusting, wiping down of surfaces and vacuuming. Vacuuming should be done with HEPA filtered air movement to allow as much dust as possible to be trapped inside the filter and so none of the dust leaves the device while in use. HEPA vacuum cleaners are also very helpful.
Fresh outdoor air is critical for clean indoor air. We recommend filtering the air coming into your home to reduce extra dust and pollen. Activated charcoal filters on HVAC systems can help reduce odors as well. We can help you analyze and determine specific recommendations for your home based on your requirements and particular challenges. Filtering the air first, before it enters the building, may need to occur also, especially for allergens such as pollens. If you live in a big city the outdoor air quality may need to be considered.
Minimizing the off-gassing of cleansers, soaps and shampoos is also critical for clean indoor air quality. Switching to organic chemical free products is very easy to do.
We sell Norwex cleaning cloths and other chemical free products that allow you to clean most things with JUST water since the cloths and mop fibers are wrapped in silver, a natural anti-microbial. They are terrific and I wouldn't be without them.
Before you consider adding air purification to your home or workplace consult with an experienced Indoor Air Quality Professional- Indoor AirQualityMatters.Com 850.556.8888. My passion is to better help people understand their environment and their options. Thank you for reading this article. Cindy Ericks