Hurricane Michael and Air Quality Issues: What You Should Know

Hurricane Michael’s path through large sections of Florida resulted in substantial damage and several deaths. Now, as residents of the affected areas are beginning to rebuild, the negative effects of the hurricane may continue in an entirely different way. Hurricanes are known to negatively impact air quality in the areas they strike, and Michael is not likely to be an exception. Here’s what you need to know about how hurricanes can affect the air you breathe for weeks or even months after they are over if you live in an area that was impacted by Michael.

 

  In What Ways Do Hurricanes Affect Air Quality?

 

The main mechanism by which hurricanes harm air quality is the promotion of mold growth. By soaking homes and other buildings in rain and causing severe flooding, hurricanes can cause mold to spread quickly in places that would otherwise be too dry for it to grow. Aside from damaging homes, mold spores can act as an asthma trigger and pose health risks to people who are exposed to them.

 

Aside from mold, hurricanes can also increase the risk of exposure to formaldehyde. The widespread damage done by hurricanes typically requires extensive repair and renovation work. Unfortunately, many construction materials are treated with formaldehyde and other chemicals at some point in their manufacturing processes. As a result, when large-scale renovations are taking place all around you, your risk of exposure to airborne formaldehyde is substantially increased.

 

  What Air Purifiers Are Best for Hurricane Damage Recovery?

 

The air purifier you need to get through disaster recovery will depend on exactly which risks are most relevant to you. For heavy mold, we recommend the Airpura UV600 model, while high levels of formaldehyde are best dealt with using the Airpura F600. If you want general protection from a wide range of different contaminants that may be present in your home air after a hurricane, the all-purpose P600 model is an excellent choice. If you have questions about these or other models of air purifiers, please feel free to contact us for answers and personalized product recommendations.