Humidifiers can Cause Indoor Air Quality Health Concerns

Jan. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- In December Consumer Reports published an article about humidifiers and their use during the cold winter months.  The article reported that humidifier sales triple in the cold months as people look for ways combat dry air that can cause itchy skin and respiratory irritation.

Correctly sizing a humidifier is essential to achieve the desired outcome.  Oversized humidifiers can cause conditions that create additional indoor air quality (IAQ) problems by promoting dust mites, mold, bacteria and other allergens in the home or building.  According to the article, “Ideally indoor relative humidity should be 30 to 50 percent. Over humidification can lead to mold and bacteria growth. It can also damage furniture and wallpaper.  Mold can grow within 48 hours on wet surfaces, and mold in the tank or in the water can get transferred into the air, causing itchy eyes and worsening any breathing troubles, especially for babies.”

The principal types of humidifiers include: central humidifiers, ultrasonic humidifiers, impeller humidifiers, evaporators and steam vaporizers.  Each type requires monitoring and maintenance to ensure they are working properly and releasing the ideal amount of humidity into the air.

One of the leading providers of IAQ investigations in Illinois and across the greater Chicago area is EC2, Inc.   “We encounter oversized and improperly maintained humidifiers quite regularly during the cold winter months,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2. “By utilizing hygrometers we can quickly determine the humidity levels in a building and make suggestions to achieve ideal humidity levels.  When we find high humidity in homes and offices it’s not uncommon to also find mold and other allergens and asthma triggers.  We also regularly encounter humidifiers that have not been properly maintained and cleaned.  This can also cause health problems for building occupants.”

To learn more about proper humidifier use or other indoor air quality and environmental testing services please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 corporations.