To prevent Mold growth in the Winter months keep your humidity in check

With Winter officially here in the Northeast, we're all cranking the heat to stay warm. The problem is indoor heat sources- oil burners, electric heaters, wood stoves - dry out the air we breathe, so we end up with dry skin, chapped lips, a sore throat, and/or a dry cough.

Many turn to humidifiers, which add moisture back into the air, but in the process of adding humidity are opening the door to a condition much worse than dry skin... allergens.

You don't want the humidity to go above 50 percent, since that will encourage the growth of mold spores, bacteria, and dust mites.

When running a humidifier, be sure to use a hygrometer. This simple device measures how much humidity is in the air. A humidity of 35 to 45 percent is optimal.

"If there were just two simple things I could do to really fix a building, it would be to change the relative humidity and any water incursion" said Matthew Snow, CIEC, CMRS, CRMI, RMS, CBST Building Scientist and Executive Vice President of Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.

Dr. Snow added: "Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is very important. Lowering the humidity in the home also helps prevent condensation problems. Proper exterior wall insulation helps prevent condensation inside the home during cold weather that could cause mold growth."


Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for the assessment of indoor environments for mold contamination. It is important to use a firm that is certified in and follow these protocols to insure project is completed successfully.

Visit the Turtle Clan website for information on testing and removal of toxic mold from your home or business.

If you have air pollution concerns, Turtle Clan has customized air pollution purifiers and filters that have proven again and again to be the most effective on the market.