Keep Your Humidifier Germ-Free

During the cooler months, many people often use humidifiers to increase the moisture in a single room or in the entire home. These household appliances are often necessary during the winter or in colder climates where continuous heating will make the air extremely dry, which results in uncomfortable air and physical discomforts of skin, lips, dry nose, and throat. As well, increased static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and even cracks in paint and furniture can occur as a result of dry air.

Evaporative humidifiers are one of the most common types of humidifiers, and these consist of a few parts: a reservoir, wick, and fan. Other types of humidifiers come in the form of vaporizers (steam humidifiers), impeller humidifiers (cool mist humidifiers), and ultrasonic humidifiers. Studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have shown that when used improperly, ultrasonic humidifiers can disperse materials such as microorganisms and minerals from their water tanks into indoor air, as microorganisms can often grow in stagnate water contained in these humidifier tanks.

At this time, although there is little information on the correlation between microorganism growth and the dispersal of these organisms by home humidifiers, proper cleaning and care of these types of humidifiers can drastically reduce exposure to microorganisms such as bacteria and mold. Inhalation of mist containing these microorganisms can make one susceptible to respiratory problems and lung inflammation. To decrease exposure to microorganisms and minerals when using a humidifier, follow these steps:

1. Use bottled water labeled "distilled" in the humidifier tank as opposed to tap water.
2. Empty the tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and wipe all surfaces daily to reduce the growth of microorganisms.
3. Do not humidify to indoor relative humidity levels exceeding 50 percent, as higher humidity levels may encourage the growth of biological organisms.
4. Do not permit the area around the humidifier to become wet, and turn the output volume down accordingly.
5. Purchase a humidifier with an anti-bacterial filter to help sterilize the water in the tank, such as the NewAir AU-100.

While the federal government has not concluded that dispersal of these microorganisms or minerals pose a serious health risk, it may be prudent to reduce the potential for personal exposure to these particulates in order to prevent any health problems from occurring.