A home humidifier is a tool to add moisture to the air, giving much-needed relief from dry, itchy skin and generating warmer, more breathable indoor air. People with allergies and asthma can greatly benefit from humidifiers. However, the humidifier might cause more harm than good if mold develops.
The EPA claims that the humidifier’s moist air is a perfect setting for bacteria and fungi to grow.
According to the EPA, “Microscopic organisms frequently thrive in humidifiers with tanks with standing water.” Additionally, the humidifier sprays out contaminated water, which produces a “toxic mist” that everyone in the space inhales.
According to research, using a humidifier increases a child’s risk of getting asthma, and that breathing in the murky mist it produces can cause lung difficulties, including infections. Also, remember that too much moisture in the air promotes mold growth, a poison you shouldn’t be breathing in every day.
What are Mold Injuries from Humidifiers?
Humidifiers are tools used to raise a specific area’s humidity (air moisture) level. They work to raise the humidity in the area using a combination of heat and water elements, which is supposed to minimize respiratory distresses brought on by low humidity (dry air). A single room in a house or a full facility, like an office or a hospital, can be treated with a humidifier. The heating and cooling systems of the building are frequently connected with whole-building humidifiers.
Some humidifiers may experience issues with mold growing in the parts and mechanisms since they use heat and water. This may result in a risky and possibly poisonous scenario in a particular room or even a whole building. Lung disorders, respiratory issues, as well as other connected medical concerns might result from these symptoms. Humidifier mold can therefore be a widespread issue for people in homes and workplaces.
Other issues that humidifiers might create include “white dust” from too much calcium in the water used, water leaks or floods related to water source/pump systems, and so on. Finally, because of problems with electrical shorting, humidifiers can occasionally start fires.
Is it True that Humidifiers Have Mold?
You could become ill from mold in a humidifier. Mold will form on a filthy humidifier (warm-mist or cool-mist), and during humidification, this mold can release toxins into the air. A humidifier containing mold, as cautioned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and EPA, will be more harmful to our health, especially for those with asthma.
The water tank is where you’ll find the most mold and bacteria spots. But inside-located ventilation, filter, or fan blade growth of mold and bacteria is also possible. If your humidifier is a part of an HVAC system, determining whether mold is present might be challenging without expert assistance.
What Takes Place If Your Humidifier Isn’t Cleaned?
You risk getting sick from exposure to mold, bacteria, or pathogens if you keep using a filthy humidifier. Along with the mist, white dust, fungus, and bacteria will be discharged into the atmosphere.
Our nose, lungs, and respiratory system will become infected as soon as we breathe allergens into our bodies. At this stage, one may experience heart failure, severe hallucinations, allergies ranging from the ordinary cold to the flu, coughing, and so on.
Symptoms of Mold in a Humidifier
- Congestion and the flu
- Wheezing and post nasal drip cough
- Dry or bloodshot eyes
- Throat, skin, and eye itchiness
- Eczema and rash
- Chest constriction
- Breathing problems
- Headache
- Vertigo
- Forgetfulness
- Chronic joint discomfort
Can a Humidifier Bring on Mold Growth in a Space?
A humidifier can quickly promote mold growth if it keeps adding moisture to a room that is already excessively moist. High humidity promotes the growth of mold, which will begin to colonize porous materials. Nothing is spared, including the doors, windows, windowsills, bathroom, and wooden furniture.
Therefore, if the humidity level in the room is excessive, avoid using a humidifier, and make sure it is clean.
Using a Humidifier to Prevent Mold
It’s time to clean your humidifier if you find mold is starting to grow inside it. Evaporative or ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers often need maintenance every 3 to 7 days. On the other hand, a warm mist humidifier would require less maintenance because of how its heating elements work. If you choose to store the humidifier for future use, ensure it is completely clean and dry throughout, especially the reservoir. To avoid mold growth, store it somewhere dry.
The easy steps to remove mold from a humidifier are listed below.
Cleaning Mold from a Humidifier
Before starting the cleaning, unplug your humidifier first. To prevent coming into close touch with mold, put on rubber gloves.
Empty the reservoir of any remaining water if the water bucket is full.
Apply a few drops of white distilled vinegar or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, then combine them with water. Fill the bucket with the natural solution, and then soak it for 10 to 20 minutes. Remove all of the leftover solutions.
Scrub all the surfaces with mineral buildup with a toothbrush, sponge, or scrubber. Rinse the bucket and flush out the leftover residues after the mold and mineral patches have fallen off.
If there are still residues, proceed with the mixing and cleaning procedure again.
Start wiping the water bucket’s interior and outside with a dry cloth. After that, let it dry naturally before adding only distilled water to the bucket to fill it up.
Restart the humidifier and leave it running for at least 10 to 30 minutes.
Who Is Responsible for Mold Injuries Caused by Humidifiers?
Mold exposure from humidifiers can cause significant, life-altering injuries. Different parties may be held accountable depending on the specifics of the case. For instance, if a humidifier device has a flaw that makes it vulnerable to mold infestations, the product’s producer may be held accountable. In these situations, product responsibility would serve as the legal foundation for liability.
In other situations, a property owner or landlord of a structure may be held accountable for negligence. For instance, they might be held responsible for damage to tenants if they knew that a humidifier device or humidifier component of the building’s heating/air conditioning unit was moldy but did nothing to address the problem.
Are There Any Legal Recourses in a Mold Injury Case from a Humidifier?
Complex toxic mold cases can necessitate taking legal action. A monetary damages award may be given to the harmed party or parties in these actions. The damages judgment can be used to pay for expenses like medical bills, hospital stays, prescription prices, and other consequential losses like missed wages.
Cases involving humidifier mold are special in that multiple people may sustain injuries simultaneously. This is particularly true in situations involving humidifier mold and central heating or air conditioning problems. Here, the mold has the potential to spread to numerous locations within the structures, generating harmful circumstances for numerous people.
Class action lawsuits may be brought to address the allegations in such situations. Additionally, defective products may be the subject of product recalls.
Do I Require an Attorney to Handle My Humidifier Mold Injury Claim?
Humidifier lawsuits frequently demand the support and advice of an attorney. If you need assistance with a humidifier mold damage lawsuit, you might need to engage a defective products attorney in your area. For the course of your lawsuit, your lawyer can conduct legal research and represent you.
