Air Purifiers and Ozone There are many air purifiers available that do not produce ozone Some electronic air purifiers emit ozone, either intentionally or as a byproduct. Underwriters Laboratory Safety Standard 867 establishes 50 parts per billion as the maximum safe limit -- the same level that's been established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the maximum allowable ozone emissions for medical devices. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) does not independently test for ozone levels, but does post which of the air purifiers it lists are certified to meet UL standards. Ozone in large amounts can neutralize strong odors (such as the smoke odor from fire damage), but, according to the EPA, using an ozone air purifier can be dangerous for human health because ozone can cause lung damage, worsen asthma and cause other lung problems. "Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation," according to the EPA.

"It may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma as well as compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections."air purifier singapore for sale Further, the EPA states that ozone levels that fall within safety standards are not effective in removing "indoor air contaminants" based on currently available scientific evidence. air purifier for large spaceIn addition, safe levels of ozone are not effective in "removing many odor-causing chemicals," nor can it "effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants."air purifier remove smoke smell There are also concerns that even smaller amounts of ozone could be harmful over the long term. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March 2009 followed nearly 450,000 people in 96 U.S. cities from 1977 through 2000.

It found that long-term exposure to low levels of outdoor ozone -- under the 50 ppb generally considered safe -- can be fatal. For every 10 ppb increase in ozone concentration, the risk of death from respiratory causes (primarily pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) went up 4 percent. That "can translate into thousands of excess deaths each year," says study lead author Michael Jerrett, a University of California-Berkeley associate professor of environmental health sciences. There have been a lot of studies on the health effects of outdoor ozone levels, but few long-term tests have measured the effects of ozone produced by indoor devices like ozone air purifiers or ionic air purifiers. One 2006 study published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association tested 13 air purifiers, including several personal air cleaners designed to be in close proximity to the user. Research analysts concluded that even these are capable of producing steady levels of indoor ozone that exceed health standards.

Indeed, some people say they can smell ozone, and some report headaches. recommended some air purifiers that emit small amounts of ozone as a byproduct, but now editors say, "These products' performance has not changed significantly, but our advice has. We now believe that air purifiers that emit even small amounts of ozone (less than 50 ppb) are not your best choice." Although some reviews say that the ozone produced by electrostatic air cleaners is safe for those in normal good health, the EPA, American Lung Association and most other expert sources recommend against using these devices. California has banned the sale of air purifiers that exceed the UL standard of 50 parts per billion, though they can still be bought elsewhere. Good Housekeeping offers this blunt advice: "If you already own an air purifier, make sure it doesn't produce ozone and if it does, stop using it and cut the cord before you discard it so no one else can use it either." Prev3 Best Air PurifiersCheap/Small Air PurifiersFurnace Filters and UV Air PurifiersBuying GuideOur SourcesNext

Air purifiers that use ozone technology may address asthma and allergy symptoms, but not without a hidden cost. What is wrong with an ozone air purifier? There is nothing "wrong" with ozone air purifiers in certain applications, but they absolutely should not be sold for residential use. When used in the home, these types of air cleaners can be hazardous to your health. Ozone is an unstable oxygen molecule (O3) that oxidizes anything it bumps into. So if it collides with iron, for example, it creates iron oxide or rust. This is effective for removing odors, killing mold and mildew; unfortunately, it could also kill your small animals. This technology is best-suited for professional use. For example, if a home is flooded or has a sewage back-up, ozone can be used by cleaning professionals. This is an appropriate use of the technology, since people and pets are removed while the ozone is applied, and they are only brought back after the ozone is removed. Unfortunately, there are several firms that sell ozone air purifiers for residential use.

Exposure to ozone can bring on asthma symptoms; in cases of high levels of ozone exposure, the risks are even greater, including scarring the lungs. The claim that ozone air purifiers work through walls is inaccurate and misleading, and the practice of telling a user to turn up the air purifier until they smell a fresh laundry scent is dangerous. Since the human olfactory system becomes accustomed to smells over periods of time, the ozone air purifier has to be set to deliver a higher concentration of the dangerous chemical. At a certain threshold, this will induce headaches and significant breathing problems. A lot of misleading information is available to the public regarding ozone and ozone air purifiers. In an effort to assess whether ozone is harmful or good, as well as to inform the public about health effects of ozone and ozone generators, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted research. The information compiled by the EPA includes the negative health effects that ozone generators have on people.

Ozone is proven by the EPA's research to be a toxic gas that has properties that are vastly different from oxygen. Many federal agencies take the side effects of ozone seriously and have recommendations and health standards in order to limit the exposure that people may have to it. While manufacturers of ozone generators may make untrue claims, with the help of the EPA’s research regarding the truth about ozone and ozone generators, the public can now take charge of their health and make informed decisions. While ozone is needed in the atmosphere, it is dangerous in your home around you and your loved ones. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides Ozone exposure levels that have been adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that ozone given off by indoor medical devices be no more than 0.05 ppm. Workers are restricted from exposure that averages a concentration of 0.10 ppm of ozone in a period of 8 hours, as mandated by OSHA.

An upper limit of 0.10 ppm of ozone exposure is not to be exceeded at any time, according to NIOSH. The EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone is a maximum outdoor concentration of 0.08 ppm in an 8 hour period. By reviewing the way that ozone interacts with chemical compounds outside of the body, we can grasp an understanding of how it behaves when it enters the human body. If ozone is inhaled, it reacts with compounds found in the body and can cause harm to the lungs. If a person inhales a small amount of ozone, it can cause side effects, such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, and irritation of the throat. If a person already suffers from respiratory disease, the exposure to ozone can exacerbate the disease or condition, worsening the symptoms to a severe stage. Even in healthy people, breathing in ozone can cause respiratory problems. If someone is performing a physical activity, like exercise, and ozone is inhaled, it is even more likely to cause harm to the respiratory system.