My daughter tested allergic to Alternaria and Cladosporium – what does that have to do with the unit?
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Drumul Taberei, Sibiu street, 1975 block, 8-year-old girl, allergy tests positive for Alternaria, Cladosporium and dust mites. The allergist said 'reduce mould exposure'. We have no mould on the walls. We have a 6-year-old 12,000 BTU LG in her room and another in the living room. Is that where the mould is?
What is really happening
Allergy symptoms cannot identify the source on their own. Dust, outdoor pollen, damp surfaces and other indoor exposures may contribute. An air conditioner can cool and remove moisture, but does not diagnose an allergy or guarantee a target humidity. Inspect filters and drainage and follow the clinician’s advice for the person concerned.
- Particles of different sizes move through the air.
- The filter retains some particles, depending on its type.
- A standard filter is not equivalent to HEPA filtration or gas removal.
Particles are symbolic and not to scale.
- On filters of residential split units, Cladosporium (~32%), Aspergillus (~9%), Acremonium and Alternaria dominate – genera known as allergens. [Building and Environment, 2025]
- The fungal genera dominant in split units – Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus – are recognised triggers of allergic asthma. [Building and Environment, 2025]
- The filter of a daily-used air conditioner accumulates about 5 times more fungi than the carpet in the same room. [Atmospheric Environment, 2002]
- Spores deposited in air systems resuspend when the fan starts, which is why cleaning must remove them, not just inactivate them. [Science of The Total Environment, 2019]
What we do on site
- Both units, her room first; scheduled while she is at school.
- Collection cover, film over bed and desk.
- Cleaning solution, pressure wash in place of evaporator, roller, pan – spores are removed with water, not 'treated'.
- Sanitising solution, extra rinse, full drying on 'Fan'.
- Outdoor units on the balconies, washed in place.
- See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- Allergen-proof covers, bedding at 60 °C, no thick carpet in her room.
- Humidity under 50% (hygrometer); Dry in the evening when it is humid outside.
- Filters in her room weekly, washed in warm water – that is where spores gather.
- Air the room 10 minutes in the morning, not at noon when outdoor pollen and spores peak.
What NOT to do
- Do not buy 'anti-allergy filters' to place over the originals – they choke airflow and do not stop spores from the roller.
- Do not use an ozone/ion purifier 'for allergies' – it irritates.
- Do not postpone sanitising until 'the next flare'.
Prevention
Plan maintenance according to the appliance manual and what is found during inspection. Keep any medical follow-up separate; cleaning does not guarantee that symptoms will resolve.
When to call us
0764 012 943, Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00. Tell us it is an allergy case, we come with priority.
Maintenance does not replace medical care. CDC: mold and health · EPA: moisture and mould
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Read also
- Allergies, sneezing and irritated eyes from the air conditioner
- Air conditioning and small children
- Home humidity and air conditioning
Sources (9)
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325010303
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231002006611
- www.intechopen.com/chapters/68598
- www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969719347333
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5156485/
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11149998/
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11350112/
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.