Dirty Humidifier Can Make You Sick

January 3, 2005

Clean Humidifier At Least Once A Week

Get in the habit of cleaning it at least once a week. You can use

recommended anti-mildew treatments, vinegar, bleach, and hydrogen

peroxide.

If you're using a humidifier, you could be breathing in mold, fungus

and bacteria.

" Humidifiers can be a source of mold and fungal exposure, " said Dr.

Aidan Long, an allergist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

That is because bacteria, mold, and fungi often grow in the water

tank and are then released in the mist.

Long said that if you can see it, you've inhaled it.

" I'm sure that if you looked into humidifiers, you've seen a little

coat with black dots, and those are molds and funguses, " Long said.

While many people understand the value of a humidifier, using them

to combat the effects of a home's dry heat and to help children

recover from colds and congestion, the threat of environmental

contamination should be taken seriously.

Experts said that breathing in a contaminated mist from a humidifier

may cause flu-like symptoms, allergic reactions, asthma

complications, and for some, serious infections.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Lung

Association are speaking out against neglecting humidifiers.

" The most common mistake people make with humidifiers is not

cleaning them correctly or not cleaning them at all, " said

Holmze, a spokeswoman for the American Lung Association.

But it's easy to protect youself. For starters, empty and refill the

humidifier every day in addition to following the manufacturer's

cleaning instructions.

Get in the habit of cleaning it at least once a week. You can use

recommended anti-mildew treatments, vinegar, bleach, and hydrogen

peroxide.

Let it soak and rinse well. Be sure to let it air dry to avoid

breathing in harmful cleaning chemicals. And if you have a

humidifier hooked up in your heating system, check that as well.

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