Do you want to trap or destroy mould? Most air purifiers claim to deal with mould spores by trapping them in a filter. Although HEPA filters can be effective, we recommend going one step further. Units that work by incinerating or killing the mould are an ideal choice, as the mould is completely removed and there’s no risk of it growing on the filter. Moulds are notorious for growing quickly, and a dehumidifier often isn’t enough to tackle airborne spores. Air sterilisers or air cleaners, like the units listed below, are a great way to remove remaining mould spores lingering in the air. They are particularly useful if you have a mould allergy and need to ensure that your indoor air is as pure as it can be. These low-maintenance air sterilisers quietly remove allergenic mould spores from your air at home or work. Alongside a good dehumidifier and a thorough cleaning regime, these units keep mould allergy symptoms at bay. Other filter air purifiers can also tackle mould by trapping the spores in their filters.

Click here for a full list of Air Purifiers for tackling mould spores including filtration technology. Alternatively Read more about choosing an air steriliser for moulds below... How do the air sterilisers kill mould? The air sterilisers operate in 2 different ways. The Airfree products use a thermodynamic system to kill the mould spores by using heat. The other method is using photo-catalytic oxidation which is using a UV light to activate titanium dioxide. Both the Radic8s and 3 of the Heaven Fresh air purifiers use this technology. A good way to describe the Radic8 air sterilisers is ‘proactive, rather than reactive!’ Instead of drawing air in to the machine to purify, the Radic8 units send out ‘super oxidants’ into the air to convert unwanted particles into water and carbon dioxide. This kind of technology (called photo-catalytic oxidation or PCO) has previously been used by NASA.  Combining the use of UV light with titanium dioxide (a photo-catalyst), hydroxyl radicals are created.

These particles decompose impurities like bacteria, odour and allergens, turning them into harmless water and carbon dioxide. The hydroxyl radicals break down moulds, making the Radic8s ideal for tackling mould problems as well as bacteria, viruses and pollutants. dvd lens cleaner softwareWe have a Radic8 installed in The Healthy House office and it does an excellent job of keeping the environment mould-free.electronic air cleaner singapore Heaven Fresh 310A, 380 and 380Aair purifier scientific These Heaven Fresh models combine the regular air purifier features with  photo-catalytic oxidation technology. Each of these units has a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter for small particles and an activated carbon filter to remove smoke and chemicals from the air.  

In addition each of the units has a UV light and a titanium dioxide plate and together they produce hydroxyl radicals that kill bacteria, odours and allergens in the air. For more complete information on the Heaven Fresh air purifiers click here. The Airfree air sterilisers use a patented thermodynamic system (also known as TSS) to suck in allergenic particles (including mould spores) and destroy them within a special ceramic core. The micro-organisms are killed by temperatures of around 200 degrees C. The clean, pure air is then cooled and released back into your home. The Airfree air sterilisers are perfect if you want extremely low maintenance air purification. They do not require replacement filters, saving you money and hassle. Just switch it on and leave it to do its magic! "As a Physician specialising in allergy and environmental medicine, I am very impressed with the Airfree Air Steriliser for the purpose of removing mould and their spores from the air we breathe...

Overall I feel the Airfree has contributed greatly to the reduction in the mould count in parts of my house... I can wholeheartedly recommend this machine for anybody with a serious allergy to mould and other airborne allergens." Dr Diana Samways, UK When choosing an air steriliser or purifier for mould, it’s important to consider the size of the room you want to purify. Our recommended room sizes are based on 3 air changes per hour (manufacturer’s recommendations may vary). These air purifiers have been selected by us because they can remove mould spores from the air, reducing your exposure to the allergens. Mould allergies and triggers are highly individual - therefore we cannot guarantee that these will be suitable for everyone with this condition. Mould spores are a potent allergen that can trigger severe asthma and rhinitis symptoms and cause a broad range of respiratory conditions. It occurs both indoors and outdoors and the density of mould spores is normally much higher than that of pollen.

Your first step in keeping the mould count under control is to ensure that you tackle any damp areas. Another important step is to capture mould spores in the air, to prevent the mould from spreading.What symptoms and health problems does it cause? Where does mould gather in the home? What is the best way of preventing indoor mould? How is mould removed? How do I avoid mould outdoors? Will an air purifier get rid of mould? Moulds are small, multi-celled fungi. A mould reproduces through its spores, which are like the seeds of a plant. Mould spores, sometimes also called fungal spores, are light and are therefore readily carried through the air of your home or office. This is because their diameter is between one and 100 microns, depending on species, with most being between 2 and 10 microns. Moulds come in a variety of colours: white, grey, orange, green, pink and black. The most common types of black mould are Stachybotrys chartarum which is often mistaken for ordinary household dirt and the dark-coloured Alternataria mould which often lurks in your bathroom.

Aspergillus niger is dark brown and often responsible for those mould patches on damp walls. Aspergillus is a group of moulds which is very widely distributed worldwide, especially in the Northern hemisphere and in the latter half of the year. Aspergillus is found in locations such as compost heaps. Exposure to aspergillus can cause severe difficulties for people with existing respiratory conditions or weak immune systems. Inhalation of mould spores can cause: Mould spores can also cause Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) which is an allergy to the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus. Around 5% of adults with asthma develop ABPA at some time during their lives. Mould loves damp conditions, so you will tend to find it in places such as: Keep your home or office well-ventilated and dry, and discourage the dispersal of mould spores, as follows: If you are allergic to mould, you should not dust, vacuum, sweep, or make beds until the above measures have reduced the mould burden in your home

A mixture of bleach and water, a mixture of white spirit and surgical spirit, or a specialised anti-fungal spray can be used to get rid of mould patches. If you have an extensive mould problem, you may need specialist advice. Mould tends to come back, so you may have to repeat your cleaning operations. Mould lives in soil and on decaying plant matter like dead and dying trees and plants, fallen fruit, straw and hay. Spore counts tend to be at their highest in the autumn months and there will always be more of them around in damp climates. You could try to avoid: An air purifier fitted with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter like the hospital grade filter found in the IQAir HealthPro 250 or HealthPro 150 will trap mould spores. You can also use an ioniser with a mechanical filter such as a Blueair air cleaner. But use of an air purifier should always be coupled with seeking out and tackling any sources of damp. Other weapons in your fight against mould should include a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.