We often pay attention to how outdoor air can affect our lungs—allergies, smoke and the like. However, as a pulmonologist at Hackensack University Medical Center, Dr. Kevin Kim, DO, says he spends much of his time speaking with patients about what they breathe in their homes.
“We spend the vast majority of our time indoors, meaning our indoor air quality directly impacts our respiratory system,” Dr. Kim tells Parade. “Many everyday household items, like cleaning sprays and scented candles, can invisibly release chemicals or mold into the air.”
There’s a lot of talk right now about how the foods we eat and household products can affect everything from our fertility to cancer risk, which can get scary. But Dr. Kim shares that it’s important to understand how household items affect our lungs. If we don’t, he says we could be accidentally triggering asthma, worsening seasonal allergies, or causing long-term inflammation without even realizing the source of the problem.
“Think of your lungs as a giant, incredibly efficient sponge designed to filter air and exchange gases,” Dr. Kim says. “When you take a breath, air travels down your windpipe and into millions of tiny, balloon-like air sacs called alveolar.”
He explains that oxygen from the air crosses into your bloodstream, fueling your body. You exhale carbon dioxide. “Along the way, your airways also act as a natural defense system, using a layer of mucus and tiny hairs to catch and clear out dust, germs and other irritants,” he says.
But we can do our lungs a solid by avoiding airborne toxins that many of us are unintentionally exposing them to. For this reason, Dr. Kim is begging people to stop using one common household item (or at least clean it correctly).
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The Common Household Item To Stop Using, According to Pulmonologists
Dr. Kim wants people to stop using humidifiers without properly cleaning them.
“Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can be fantastic for soothing dry airways, preventing nosebleeds and easing cold symptoms during the dry winter months,” he says. “However, if a humidifier isn’t maintained properly, it essentially becomes an efficient delivery system for aerosolized bacteria, mold and other harmful airborne toxins.”
Yikes, right?
“When you breathe in that contaminated mist, the microscopic particles travel deep into your lungs, which can trigger severe inflammation and a host of respiratory illnesses,” Dr. Kim adds.
What Is ‘Humidifier Fever’? (And Other Respiratory Health Risks)
According to Dr. Kim, “humidifier fever” is a non-clinical term for a type of lung inflammation that he says is more accurately described as a humidifier-induced respiratory illness. It’s similar to hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
“It happens when your lungs have an intense inflammatory reaction to breathing in the bacteria or fungi that have grown in a dirty humidifier tank,” he says. “Because it’s an inflammatory response to a contaminated mist, the symptoms usually mimic a sudden flu or a chest infection.”
Within hours of turning a humidifier on, you might experience:
Fever Chills A dry cough Shortness of breath Chest tightnessUnfortunately, Dr. Kim says humidifiers can also lead to other respiratory issues.
“Aside from ‘humidifier fever,’ running a dirty humidifier can easily trigger asthma attacks and worsen environmental allergies by pumping mold spores and dust mites—which thrive in overly humid environments—into the air you breathe,” he reports.
Related: The Allergy Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Most Right Now
The Hidden Danger of ‘White Dust’ From Ultrasonic Humidifiers
If you notice “white dust” settling onto furniture when using an ultrasonic humidifier, you’re really looking at aerosolized mineral deposits.
“When you use tap water, the naturally occurring dissolved mineral deposits, such as calcium or magnesium, dry out and these fine mineral particles can be shot into the air along with the water vapor,” Dr. Kim explains. “This is dangerous because these minerals form fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is small enough to travel deep into your lungs.”
When you inhale these tiny particles, he says they can irritate your lung tissue, trigger asthma or COPD flare-ups and lead to chronic inflammation.
A 2020 study published in Indoor Air showed that using tap water in ultrasonic humidifiers can raise indoor PM2.5 to levels comparable to those in a polluted city.
“This can be prevented by using distilled or demineralized water,” Dr. Kim explains.
How Often Should You Really Clean Your Humidifier?
Clean the humidifier daily. Dr. Kim says “cleaning” means emptying the water, wiping the tank completely dry and refilling it.
“Standing water is a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and it only takes a couple of days for a slimy biofilm to form inside the water tank,” he tells Parade. “If you don’t clean it frequently, you are risking that your humidifier is spraying germs directly into the air you breathe.”
Dr. Kim adds it’s important to give the entire unit a deep clean weekly.
Related: Here’s How Often You Should Actually Replace Your Shower Curtain, According to Microbiologists
Step-By-Step: How to Properly Clean and Disinfect a Humidifier
You don’t have to ditch your humidifier, but Dr. Kim shares it’s important to clean it regularly for your lung health. Here’s how:
Unplug the unit and empty any remaining water from the tank and the base. Take the humidifier completely apart, removing the tank, the filter (if it has one), and any other detachable parts. Fill the tank with a mixture of water and white vinegar (about 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water) and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes to break down any mineral scale. Use a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, to gently scrub away any visible residue or slimy buildup in the tank and the base. Rinse all the parts thoroughly with plain tap water until you can no longer smell the vinegar. Let everything air dry completely before putting it back together and refilling it (ideally with distilled water).When To Replace Your Humidifier Altogether
“As a general rule of thumb, you should replace your humidifier every 3 to 5 years, as the internal motor and parts will naturally start to wear down over time,” Dr. Kim says.
However, there are a few times you should ditch it sooner, such as when:
You can’t get it clean. If a stubborn white or gray mineral scale won’t come off, no matter how much you scrub with vinegar, it’s time for a new humidifier. “That crusty scale provides a porous surface where bacteria love to hide and multiply,” Dr. Kim reveals. There is visible mold or a lingering smell. If you’ve deep-cleaned your tank and it still smells musty, it may be worth ditching it altogether. “Mold has likely infiltrated the internal mechanics or the motor area where you can’t reach it,” Dr. Kim states. The plastic is cracked or deeply scratched. Even small cracks can lead to big consequences. “Tiny cracks and scratches in the water tank are practically impossible to clean thoroughly, making them the perfect safe haven for bacterial biofilms to grow,” Dr. Kim says.Up Next:
Related: Having This in Your Kitchen Can Be a Huge Red Flag for Your Health
Sources:
Dr. Kevin Kim, DO, a pulmonology specialist with Hackensack University Medical Center Particulate matter emitted from ultrasonic humidifiers—Chemical composition and implication to indoor air. Indoor Air.Hence then, the article about a pulmonologist is begging you to stop using this one common household item was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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