Heating and Cooling Systems can blow airborne pollutants without seeing what’s in the air we breathe. This is especially harmful when moisture is added to the air, allowing mold spores, which are always around us, to grow in places we can’t see. If you are looking for information on how to get rid of mold spores in the air and on surfaces, keep reading.
Figure 2, Mold results after seven days of exposure to the ship’s air while treated by Pyure Technology©
Figure 1, Mold results after three days of exposure to the ship’s existing air
The maritime industry presents an ideal environment for mold growth. High humidity and warm temperatures create a perfect scenario for propagating mold, bacteria, and fungi. Mold growth is common on all ships, from small boats to the largest cruise ships. Passenger ships, stores, and casinos often employ scenting systems that mask the odor of mold and mildew by adding more chemicals to the air. A yacht’s HVAC system and ducts are cleaned annually or frequently during shipyard periods to eliminate mold, adding cost to ship maintenance.
Problem
A 50-meter (150 ft) yacht was infected with multiple mold species (see Figure 1), and the crew was kept away for more than a month, staying in hotels to ensure they didn’t breathe in the harmful pathogens. At the same time, the captain slept on the sun deck to avoid entering the interior.
Solution – How to get rid of mold spores in the air and on surfaces
After a site assessment, several Pyure IDI™ air and surface protection devices, supplied through Pyure maritime distribution partner Vikand, were installed directly into the ship’s air handlers. The IDI™, like all Pyure devices, rapidly breaks down mold, mildew, and fungus common in the maritime industry, homes, and buildings and eliminates most of these pathogens and their odors.
Before activating Pyure Technology, a test was designed to prove its efficacy. Mold test kits were placed in four locations: the crew kitchen, the wheelhouse, the starboard air handling unit, and the port air handler. After three days, the kits were removed and photographed, as seen in Figure 1.
Another test was run after the Pyure IDI™ purifiers were activated with four new mold test kits placed in the exact locations. After the purifiers ran continuously for seven days (more than double the length of the first test), the kits were removed and photographed, as shown in Figure 2*.
Outcome
The result is an overwhelming difference in mold growth from the first test to the test completed after Pyure technology was activated. Pyure Dynamic Protection© devices got rid of the mold spores in the air, and the ship is now cleaner, and the air and surfaces are safe for the crew and passengers.
*Conditions for both test periods were identical, with no human interference.
HVAC
Maritime
mold
