Does using humidifers in the winter spread mold, bacteria?

[Guest guest]

Does using humidifers in the winter spread mold, bacteria?

December 10, 2007

Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2007/12/10/does_using_hum

idifers_in_the_winter_spread_mold_bacteria/

Yes. Doctors often recommend humidifiers in the winter because the

dry, heated air in homes can irritate your nose and throat. But,

while those symptoms can be annoying, " there is no evidence I know

of that humidifying air reduces colds, " said Dr. Ralph Metson, a

sinus surgeon at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

more stories like thisHumidifiers can be a breeding ground for mold

and bacteria. Indeed, on its website, the Mayo Clinic notes that

while humidifiers may be " soothing " for people who have asthma flare-

ups because of dry indoor air, " dirty humidifiers can create more

problems than they solve. "

If you do choose to use one, make sure you pick the right kind, and

buy an instrument called a hygrometer (they cost as little as $10)

that measures humidity in the air. Ideally, humidity should not go

above about 35 percent, said C. May, a chemist-turned-

building investigator who is also the author of " The Mold Survival

Guide. "

The ones that use steam or boiled water are less likely to breed

mold than the ones that use cool mist, but the hot ones also pose a

scalding risk.

It's crucial to wash all humidifiers according to the instructions

to prevent microbial growth in the water. If you don't clean your

humidifier as the instructions recommend, " you're blowing stuff into

the environment that is not good, " said Dr. Ouellette, a

retired allergist from Madison, Wis., who collaborates with May.

JUDY FOREMAN

E-mail health questions to foreman@...

[Guest guest]

Sue,

At an effective concentration, the smell of the vinegar would be quite

unpleasant.

Some companies do supply quaternary-ammonium-compound( " quat " ) tablets to add

to the humidifier water as a biocide, though there is some small risk

associated with the possible exposure to the quat.

I would not use the evaporative humidifier.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

3 Tolkien Lane

Tyngsborough, MA 01879

617-354-1055

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

writes:

> 4a. Re: Does using humidifers in the winter spread mold, bacteria?

> Posted by: " a Townsend " kmtown2003@... kmtown2003

> Date: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:40 pm ((PST))

>

> What about putting a small amount of vinegar in the the water to help keeping

it from fungi? Just a thought.

>

> Jeff May <jeff@...> wrote: Sue,

>

> The doc quoted in the article said there is " no evidence that he knows of

> that humidifying air reduces colds " but there are papers that show that

> comfortable levels of RH can reduce respiratory and other symptoms:

>

> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1474709

>

> " Indirect health effects of relative humidity in indoor environments "

>

> " A review of the health effects of relative humidity in indoor

[Guest guest]

Also, those with mold allergies should avoid vinegar

as well as mold products. Please understand I am not

saying those with *illness* related to mold should

avoid vinegar, but those with mold *allergies.*

--- Jeff May <jeff@...> wrote:

> Sue,

>

> At an effective concentration, the smell of the

> vinegar would be quite

> unpleasant.

>

> Some companies do supply

> quaternary-ammonium-compound( " quat " ) tablets to add

> to the humidifier water as a biocide, though there

> is some small risk

> associated with the possible exposure to the quat.

>

> I would not use the evaporative humidifier.

>

> C. May, M.A., CIAQP

> May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

> 3 Tolkien Lane

> Tyngsborough, MA 01879

> 617-354-1055

> www.mayindoorair.com

> www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>

> writes:

>

> > 4a. Re: Does using humidifers in the winter spread

> mold, bacteria?

> > Posted by: " a Townsend "

> kmtown2003@... kmtown2003

> > Date: Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:40 pm ((PST))

> >

> > What about putting a small amount of vinegar in

> the the water to help keeping it from fungi? Just a

> thought.

> >

> > Jeff May <jeff@...> wrote:

> Sue,

> >

> > The doc quoted in the article said there is " no

> evidence that he knows of

> > that humidifying air reduces colds " but there

> are papers that show that

> > comfortable levels of RH can reduce respiratory

> and other symptoms:

> >

> >

>

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1474709

>

> >

> > " Indirect health effects of relative humidity in

> indoor environments "

> >

> > " A review of the health effects of relative

> humidity in indoor

>

>

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