Air Purifiers for Mold

Air Purifiers for Mold provide effective protection from Mold Spores and Mold Mycotoxins.

Health Risks of Mold

Mold represents a large group of fungal species (fungus) that consist of microorganisms found almost everywhere in outdoor and indoor environments. In nature mold plays an important role while constantly breaking down and digesting the dead organic materials. However, in indoor environment mold can pose a serious danger to human health.
Nearly all molds are toxic at high doses; some are known pathogens, and many produce poisonous compounds, says the International Center for Toxicology and Medicine.
The main health risks associated with mold derive from the exposure to Mold Spores and Mycotoxins.

Mold Spores

Mold spores are tiny airborne particles which range in size from 1 to 40 microns. Mold spores produced by mold colonies, is an essential way for mold to reproduce itself and spread out in the environment.
As tiny airborne particles, mold spores are highly volatile and are always present in the air. They can be easily inhaled and get into eyes, nose and throat. While small quantities of mold spores are relatively harmless, in high concentrations, mold spores present a health hazard to humans and can pose serious health problems.
Exposure to mold spores can cause the allergic reaction including:

People with elevated sensitivity to mold spores are likely to experience more severe allergic reactions, including asthma attacks.
The following groups of people more susceptible to the effects of mold include:

• individuals with allergies and asthma
• infants and young children
• the elderly
• individuals with compromised immune system due to HIV, cancer, chemotherapy, etc.
• people with chronic lung disease       

Mold Mycotoxins

Out of thousands of species of mold, about two dozen are known to produce mycotoxins, and thus called toxic mold.
Mycotoxins - the sub-micron clusters of toxic chemicals released by mold are main cause of musty basement odors and is one of the major causes of so called "Sick building syndrome".
The Mycotoxins can be as small as 0.1 micron in size.
Mycotoxins have a potential to cause both acute and chronic health effects via food ingestion, skin contact, inhalation and entering the blood stream and lymphatic system.
Some studies suggest that prolonged exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to acute poisoning, immune deficiency, cancer, neurological problems and, in some cases, even death.
Some of the most common toxic molds (producing mycotoxins) are:

Mold Spores Remediation

Although, complete elimination of all mold and mold spores from the indoor environment is not possible, especially in a wet environment, the air purifiers equipped with high efficiency air filtration system, can significantly reduce the level of exposure to mold spores in residential and office indoor environments.

There are few ways to remove / kill mold spores by subjecting them to:

• Mechanical air filtration
• Ultraviolet light
• Plasma (Ionization)

Mechanical Filtration of Mold Spores

True HEPA filter has a guaranteed filtration efficiency of over 99.97% in trapping of all solid airborne particulates as small as down to 0.3 micron in size. This size range includes most airborne pathogens such as, mold spores, bacteria, microbes, fungi and viruses. Trapped in the air purifier's True HEPA filter, mold spores are removed from the environment and exposed to the constant air rush, which deprives them of moisture and eventually making them die.
The higher efficiency particle filters such as, 99.99% @ 0.3 micron Super HEPA filter or 99.999% @ 0.1 micron ULPA filter have even higher efficiency in trapping sub-micron particles. However, tighter particulate filters may result in a reduced air flow and a number of air changes per hour (ACH), resulting in a lower overall performance due to a higher back pressure from a more dense filter media.
Therefore, large, perfectly sealed True HEPA filter is essential component of the air purifiers for effective removal of mold spores out of the indoor environment.

Exposure of Mold Spores to UV Light

The Ultraviolet (UV) light (Germicidal UV light especially) is the fastest and most effective way to sterilize the air from airborne pathogens. Germicidal UV bulb produces the ultraviolet (UVC) light with specific wavelength of 253.7 nm (nanometer). The exposure of mold spores to the UV light of this wavelength destroys the amino acids in mold spores DNA, leading to inability to produce protein and sustain life.
The sterilization power of Germicidal UV light is about 1,600 times of a direct sunlight, and therefore is extremely lethal to most airborne pathogens - mold spores, bacteria, microbes, viruses.

Exposure of Mold Spores Plasma Ionization

In the beginning of 2000s SHARP corporation developed and patented an innovative air purification technology named Plasmacluster Ion (PCI).
The Plasmacluster Ion technology replicates Nature's Own air cleaning process that purifies air in the Earth's atmosphere by producing the balanced shower of positive and negative ions from water vapors in the air.
The ions are dispersed throughout the entire room where they actively seek, attack and deactivate airborne pathogens: mold spores, germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.
The Sharp's Exclusive Plasmacluster Ion technology has clinically proven effective in significant reduction of airborne pathogens such as:

• Mold & Fungi - up to 88%
• Bacteria - up to 94%
• Viruses - up to 93%

Neutralizing of Mold Mycotoxins

Chemical Adsorption

Since mycotoxins are toxic chemicals, they cannot be removed by mechanical filtration using the particulate filters: HEPA, Super HEPA or ULPA.
In the meantime, the activated carbon adsorbent is the best substance available for effective removal from the air of over 4000 chemical substances, including many chemicals found in mold mycotoxins.
The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is measured in the percentage of its weight or a volume. Therefore, the amount of adsorbent in the air purifier's air filtration system is absolutely crucial for thorough removal of mycotoxins.
Since regular activated carbon is not very effective in removal of specific chemical substances of organic nature, the specialty enhanced adsorbent should be used to achieve the highest rate of removal of wider range of chemicals in mycotoxins.

Photocatalytic Oxidation Process

The Photocatalytic Oxidation process incorporated in AirPura P600 and AirPura P600 Plus models is an advanced air purification technology initially developed by NASA, significantly boosts the air purifier's ability to remove specific harmful chemicals in mycotoxins.
The Photocatalytic Oxidation process is initiated when the Titanium dioxide surface is exposed to the Ultraviolet light. During this process the complex chemical molecules are getting broken down to shorter simpler chemical compounds. The process repeats itself until the basic chemicals such as CO2, NO2 and water molecules are left, that can be dissolved in the air or adsorbed by the activated carbon.

Recommended Air Purifiers for Mold Spores and Mycotoxins

In view of the above, the most efficient air purifiers for Mold Spores and Mold Mycotoxins removal are the ones that meet few requirements.

1. The air filtration system should include large and perfectly sealed particle filter: True HEPA (or optional Super HEPA or ULPA) filters.

2. Germicidal UV bulb is a single most effective option that can significantly boost the air purifier's ability to sterilize the air from airborne mold spores quickly and effectively.
AirPura UV600, AirPura P600, AirPura P600 Plus air purifier models are equipped with high-output Germicidal UV bulb, making them the strongest contenders in the category of the most efficient air purifiers for Mold Spores and Mycotoxins Control.

3. Sharp FP-F50UW, Sharp FP-F60UW, Sharp KC-850U and Sharp KC-860U air purifiers all are equipped with Sharp's exclusive proprietary Plasmacluster Ion generators, and therefore are strong contenders in the category of best air purifiers for Mold Control.

Home and Office Use under 700 sq. ft.

Home and Office Use under 2000 sq. ft.

Commercial and Business Use over 3000 sq. ft.

^* Optional VOC or ULTRA VOC Canister

Air Purifiers for Mold - view all

Mold Mycotoxins - World Health Organization Report