|
|
|
Dirty
Humidifiers Can be a Danger to Your Lungs:
How to Make Sure Your Humidifiers are Truly Clean
by SixWise.com
|
|
Humidifiers
can be a saving grace to dry skin, lips and noses during the
winter heating season when moisture is scarce. Too little
humidity in your home can lead to not only dry, scratchy throats
and skin, but it can also negatively affect your home environment
by causing static electricity, peeling wallpaper and cracks
in furniture, floors, cabinets and paint.
But
humidifiers, which work by releasing water vapor into the
air, can also be breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi --
both of which can travel, via the water vapor, into your home
and lungs.
Studies
by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have shown that
ultrasonic and impeller (or "cool mist") humidifiers
are capable of transporting the potentially toxic mist, which
can include microorganisms and minerals.
The
concern is so great that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) has alerted consumers that dirty room humidifiers
-- the portable variety -- can be serious health hazards.
|
 |
Humidifiers are great for helping
you avoid dry throats and dry
skin that looks like this, especially
during winter months. But if they're
not kept thoroughly clean they can
harbor bacteria and fungi that may
harm your lungs!
|
|
According
to the CPSC, breathing in dirty mist can lead to lung problems
ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infection. People
with allergies or asthma, along with the elderly, young children
and those with lung diseases, are at a particularly high risk
and may have increased symptoms.
How
to Determine if YOUR Humidifier is Dirty
Any
type of film or scum appearing on the water surface, sides
or bottom of tank or motor parts is a sure sign that your
humidifier tank is harboring bacteria or fungi. In addition:
- If
your tank contains a crusty deposit or scale, which form
when minerals from the water collect on the tank, it is
a prime surface for bacteria and fungi to grow.
- The
white dust that sometimes appears on furniture and surfaces
surrounding the humidifier, which is composed of minerals
from the water, may contain tiny particles that can be inhaled.
Reduce
Your Risk by Keeping Your Humidifier Clean
According
to Kristin Holmze, a spokeswoman for the American Lung Association,
"The most common mistake people make with humidifiers
is not cleaning them correctly or not cleaning them at all."
|
|
The
following tips, compiled from information from the EPA and
the CPSC, will help to keep your humidifier clean and reduce
your risk of associated health problems.
- Change
the water in the humidifier tank daily, if possible
- Clean
the tank thoroughly every third day according to the manufacturer's
instructions, but be careful when using chemical cleansers.
The cleansers can also be inhaled if not rinsed properly.
This is why cleansing your tank with PerfectClean's
All-Purpose Terry Cloths or the Scrub
and Clean Reversible Glove is so ideal. They're made
of 100% safe ultramicrofibers that are only 3 microns
in size, which is even smaller than many bacteria. These
ultramicrofibers are by far the most effective cleaning
material available. They pick up anything in their path,
down to those contaminants that cannot be seen with the
naked eye, and no harmful chemical cleansers are necessary!
- If
you decide to use a cleanser, use water with a 3% solution
of hydrogen peroxide.
- To
eliminate mineral scale buildup and the release of "white
dust" use bottled distilled or demineralized water
(tap water contains more minerals).
- Use
demineralization cartridges or filters if they are recommended
for your humidifier.
- Clean,
and thoroughly dry, your unit before storing it for the
summer. Also clean it before its first use in the winter.
- Don't
let water stand in the tank for extended periods of time
(such as while you're on vacation).
- If
you experience respiratory symptoms that you believe are
related to your humidifier, stop using it immediately.
|
|
The Scrub and Clean Reversible
Glove is ideal for cleaning those
hard-to-reach humidifier tanks.
For the special introductory price
of just $8.95 it:
- Eliminates
any hand-grip
strain (the wiper is on your
hand, so there is no need to
grasp it like a traditional rag)
- Is
a remarkably fast and
efficient way to clean
surfaces with curves and
edges that can be difficult
with other wipers.
- Is
commonly used over 100
times before requiring
replacement, so it's an
extremely convenient AND
cost-efficient way to clean!
Simply wash after use and
they're as good as new!
- Can
be used dry or with water for the most effective "deep
clean" you'll find anywhere!
|
|
Use a hygrometer like this one
with an easy-to-read display to
measure the humidity level in
your home. Levels exceeding 50
percent can lead to the growth of
biological pollutants that can
aggravate allergic symptoms
and asthma.
Read
More Now
|
|
Another
concern? Too much humidity in your home can lead to the growth
of biological pollutants, which can cause allergic reactions
and asthma symptoms. For this reason, do not humidify your home
to levels exceeding 50 percent humidity.
You
can use a hygrometer -- like
the recommended thermo-hygrometer with a jumbo easy-to-read
display -- to measure humidity levels in your home. Some
humidifiers also contain built-in humidistats that can be
adjusted to a specific moisture level.
If
you follow these tips, you should be able to experience the
benefits of a home humidifier -- some much-needed moisture
for your skin and throat in the dry days of winter -- without
having to sacrifice your respiratory health in exchange.
- Remove
mold from walls and ceilings before painting or staining.
|
|
- Clean
shower curtains well and replace them as needed
- Vacuum
regularly using a vacuum with a high-efficiency filter
like a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter).
Empty the dirt bag when it gets to be half full or less.
- Control
dust by washing bedding often and in hot water to kill
dust mites. Use the commercial-grade PerfectClean
Flexible Duster that can be bent into a wide variety
of shapes to clean all those areas that, up until now,
were impossible for you (let alone any other duster) to
reach, but are some of the most common locations of dirt,
dust, pet hair, lint and potentially harmful microscopic
contaminants!
In
the event that you decide to move to a new home, be sure
to inspect it thoroughly so you don't inherit a new set
of pollutant problems when you move in.
Using
common sense to keep your home free of excess moisture and
keeping all surfaces clean will go a long way toward improving
the indoor air quality of your home and reducing your exposure
to harmful biological contaminants.
|
|
