The Hidden Downsides To Humidifiers

Hectic schedules often put chores on the back burner, but the care and cleaning of your room humidifier have no place there. If you're too busy to clean a humidifier, many experts advise leaving it in the box — skipping it altogether. It doesn't take long before mold and bacteria set up house in a humidifier — just a matter of days. While a humidifier may alleviate cracked lips, a bloody nose, and dry eyes from heat, a mold-contaminated unit can introduce serious, sometimes lingering illnesses. According to the Mayo Clinic, mold and bacteria grow in moist and unclean conditions — like your neglected humidifier. Mold can lead to respiratory problems, flu-like symptoms in healthy people, and flareups in those with asthma and allergies.

To prevent mold from entering your humidifier and the air you breathe, get into the routine of emptying the tank after unplugging and drying it. Then give it a thorough cleaning about every three days or more. This tip should include eliminating mineral deposits or film with something like 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, which is available at most pharmacies. Clean the unit thoroughly and rinse all cleaning products before the next use. Otherwise, the cleaning chemicals will become airborne and possibly toxic consequences for you, your family, and your pets.

Mold is one thing, but the yuck factor pumps up when the invasion involves moving creatures. Too much humidity — from a humidifier or other source — can bring this kind of trouble into a house. According to the American Lung Association, cockroach allergens can be stirred up into the air when cleaning or vacuuming the dust that has settled. These allergens can trigger asthma and allergies, and studies show they may even be responsible for asthma in preschoolers. Can't wait to plop your head on the pillow after a long hard day? Cockroach allergens can be inhaled from bedding, zapping the typically curative powers of a night of peaceful slumber.

Warm, humid environments are also perfect for dust mites. These tiny bugs are related to spiders, live in dust, and feed upon dead skin cells (via the Mayo Clinic). Although microscopic, dust mites can create big allergy woes and gravitate to that most tranquil of places, our bedroom. A dust mite allergy can go beyond the occasional runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing to a severe asthma attack that requires emergency care. All this certainly gives humidifier care warnings a new priority.

Microbe buildup in a humidifier is terrible, but tackling it with a disinfectant additive can be much worse. According to Yale School of Public Health, an outbreak of lung disease in Korea exemplifies why disinfectants are risky to use in your humidifier. Dr. Gary Ginsberg, a public health toxicologist from Connecticut, recommends avoiding humidifier disinfectants, marketed as bacteria-fighting agents. The problem is that chemical disinfectants can become airborne and irritate the lungs, such as in the tragic event in Korea. Although the product involved in the Korean incident is unavailable in the United States, humidifier disinfectants and additives are risky. Nothing can beat changing the humidifier water daily and cleaning the tank and chambers every two or three days with simple soap and water. As for the humidifier parts, wiping them with a mild disinfectant like vinegar can safely complete the task. Whatever you do, rinse thoroughly before reassembling and running the humidifier. There is no need for something harsh like bleach.

Of course, caution also should be exercised with essential oils. There are diffusers especially made for dispersing oils into the air for health benefits. If your humidifier does not have a diffuser to allow safe use of essential oils, you could be causing harm, not health. Read, read, and read your manufacturer's care manual and the essential oil label to guide your actions.

Just how bad is a dirty humidifier for your health? Well, the machine you purchased to make breathing easy in the winter when heating systems run full blast can trigger lung problems — even infection — and bring on symptoms resembling the flu. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirms that dirty humidifiers can cause all these ailments in the healthy population. An unclean machine can exacerbate allergies or asthma. It poses the added threat of intensifying their symptoms.

One example of a lung issue that can arise from humidifier use came up in a case study (via ScienceDirect). The problem was humidifier lung, a rare type of lung infection known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis. There was an example of a 46-year-old man who exhibited a fever, cough, and low oxygen levels when he arrived at the hospital. He had used an ultrasonic humidifier for two months before the onset of symptoms. The medical investigation revealed that his humidifier water contained multiple types of bacteria, fungi, and a large amount of endotoxin (a toxin that lurks inside a bacterial cell). This man got better without medication simply by getting rid of his humidifier.

While there are several types of humidifiers, some of the most popular models are those the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has associated with the release of microorganisms and minerals into the air. Those models are the ultrasonic or impeller humidifiers, both of which create a cool mist, one through ultrasonic sound vibrations, the other through a high-speed rotating disc. They increase humidity levels while dispersing a cooling mist into the air, making them ideal for the summer months. Whatever goes into the humidifier tank, especially the cool-mist variety, is bound to enter the air sooner or later. Of course, consumers can reduce the risk with fresh water and regular cleaning, but EPA these precautions cannot eliminate unwanted airborne materials entirely.

Just what is a microorganism? As the name suggests, they are microscopic in size and can include bacteria, mold, fungi, and algae. The common offenders in a humidifier water tank are likely to be mold and bacteria. Breathing such mist day after day can trigger lung inflammation. While that sounds scary, the federal government has not equated microorganisms and other minerals dispersed by a humidifier with a serious health risk. Those prone to problems with airborne materials tend to be children, senior citizens, and those with respiratory problems, be it lung disease or allergies. The key is to properly care for your humidifier, which will cause minerals and microorganisms to stay to a minimum.

Contaminated tank water is not the only way a humidifier can be a source of mold. Humidifiers with filters, like the invisible moisture variety operating with a wicking filter, must be kept clean, or your health may pay for it. According to Honeywell, an unkept filter can breed mold and bacteria. In this case, it may give off an odor alerting you that there is a problem, and the filter may no longer be able to work as intended. The filter's job is to remove minerals and impurities before they evaporate into the air. A filter plays a big part in eliminating white dust, which stems from minerals.

While it may seem economical to soak the filter to loosen scale, humidifiers still require a new filter every 30 to 60 days — and much sooner if there is a foul odor or signs of mold. Keep your humidifier clean by doing a quick daily rinse and refilling it with water. As discussed earlier, people with allergies or asthma can react strongly to household mold exposure. If you have a humidifier with a filter, following the manufacturer's instructions is an essential step to keep mold and the doctor away. A room humidifier can make the winter heating system bearable, especially for those with respiratory issues. Taking the proper care will ensure the humidifier is a step toward, not away from, good health in your home.