How To Properly Use Your Humidifier

When winter comes, many people use humidifiers to help with the moisture in a single room or in the home. These household appliances are often necessary during the winter when continuous heating will make the air extremely dry, which then results in uncomfortable air quality and discomforts of skin, lips, dry nose, and throat. Also with dry air, increased static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and even cracks in paint and furniture can occur as a result.

Evaporative humidifiers are one of the most common types; these consist of a few parts: a water reservoir, wick, and fan. Other types of humidifiers come in the form of vaporizers (steaming humidifiers), impeller humidifiers (cool mist humidifiers), and ultrasonic humidifiers (silent 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 your air, as microorganisms can often grow in stagnate water contained in humidifier tanks.

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 the mist containing these microorganisms can make one sensitive 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 instead of tap water.

2. Empty the tank and wipe all surfaces dry daily to reduce the growth of microorganisms.

3. Do not humidify to 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 sensible to reduce the potential for personal exposure to these particulates in order to prevent any health problems from occurring.

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