Ozone
Generators That Are Sold as Air Cleaners
(See
the "Ozone
Air Purifier Study" to view the
EPA report on these misleading air purifiers)
click
here
Many companies tout “ozone air purifiers” as the best thing for indoor air pollution…but infact ozone is not safe and can even do more harm than good! Learn about the study the Environmental Protection Agency did on Ozone Air Purifiers, whose manufacturers, according to the EPA, mislead the public into believing they are safe. The report reveals they are not even effective as air purifiers. This is not the best way to purify indoor
air…See why UV Air Purifiers are the best!This is why we offer the best Ozone-free air cleaners available to address allergies, asthma symptoms, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and air quality issues such as cigarette smoke, dust, mold, and more with only safe technology!
A Hepa air purifier and UV air purifier are an essential component to maintaining an allergen free and healthy home.
Ozone
generators intentionally produce the gas ozone and these
machines are sold as air cleaners. According to the EPA,
the vendors of ozone generators often make claims that encourage
people to believe that these machines are always safe and
effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For nearly
100 years health professionals have disagreed with these
statements. Some manufacturers of ozone generators even
claim that the federal government has approved these machines
for use in occupied spaces. The EPA reports that NO
federal agency has approved ozone generators for use
in occupied spaces and indeed, ozone can actually
cause health problems at high concentrations.
The
air we breathe is comprised of mainly oxygen and nitrogen.
Two atoms of oxygen comprise the basic oxygen molecule that
is the oxygen we breathe (O2). A high voltage discharge
(such as a thunderstorm) can create ozone by breaking apart
the O2 oxygen atoms. These extremely reactive oxygen atoms
recombine in groups of three and the result is ozone (O3)
or trivalent oxygen, (also called "activated oxygen").
This third oxygen atom can detach from the O3 molecule and
attach itself to other molecules, such as pollution, thus
altering its chemical composition. This property is the
basis of the claims made by the manufacturers of ozone generators.
The
EPA uses the phrase “good up high-bad nearby”
to describe ozone. This phrase makes the distinction between
ozone in the upper atmosphere (“stratospheric ozone”)
which helps filter out damaging radiation from the sun,
and ozone in the lower atmosphere (in the air we breathe,
'ozone action day') which is harmful to the respiratory
system. This harmful ozone can be produced via an interaction
of sunlight with various chemicals in the environment such
as emissions by vehicles and industrial plants.
Available
scientific evidence shows that ozone has little ability
to remove indoor air pollutants at concentrations that do
not exceed public health standards. Some manufacturers or
vendors of ozone generators claim that ozone will make almost
every chemical pollutant harmless by producing a chemical
reaction that leaves only carbon dioxide, oxygen and water.
This claim is misleading to the public.
Scientific
research shows that for chemicals commonly found indoors,
the reaction with ozone may take months or years.
If ozone does not readily react with a chemical, irritating
by-products are often the result.
Ozone does not remove particles from the air
such as dust and pollen. These particles are common causes
of allergies. Some ozone machines include an “ion generator”
or “ionizer” in the unit. An ionizer or ionic
air purifier disperses negatively charged ions which attach
to particles in the air. These particles then attach to
surfaces such as walls or furniture. Scientific experiments
have shown that ionizers are less effective in removing
pollen, fungal spores, tobacco smoke, or dust particles
than other methods of air cleaning such as high efficiency
particle filters or electrostatic precipitators.
Evidence shows that at concentrations that do not exceed
public health standards, ozone is not effective at removing
many odor-causing chemicals.
Evidence also shows that at concentrations that do not exceed
public health standards, ozone does not effectively
remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological contaminants.
Some studies suggest that low levels of ozone may inhibit
the growth of some biological pollutants and reduce their
airborne concentrations. Ozone concentrations, however,
would have to be 5 - 10 times higher than public health
standards recommend to decontaminate the air sufficiently
to prevent the regeneration of the biological contaminants
once the ozone is removed.
Even high concentrations seem to have no effect on biological
pollutants implanted in porous materials like ceiling tiles
or duct lining.
Simply put, the ozone produced by ozone generators may inhibit
the growth of biological contaminants while the ozone is
present, but it is quite unlikely to completely decontaminate
the air unless concentrations are high enough to become
a health concern to people and pets.
What’s
worse is that the ozone generators available produce varying
and unreliable levels of ozone, even when used according
to manufacturer instructions. Various factors can also influence
the level of ozone produced in a room, including the size
of a room, the setting of the machine, whether doors to
the room are open or closed, and whether the ventilation
system is turned on or off. Even if these machines are used
in unoccupied spaces, when ozone is produced in
high concentrations, damage can be caused to plants, rubber,
electrical wire coatings, and fabrics and artwork containing
susceptible dyes and pigments.
When
searching for air purifiers you'll be sure
to run into Websites pushing, real hard, ozone
generators and ozone air purifiers. Some are
so desperate to sell their ozone air purifiers
that they post false information about the
benefits of UV light to try & make their
ozone air purifiers sound superior. There's
a few things you need to look at before you
consider an ozone air purifier. It is a SCIENTIFIC
FACT that ozone air
purifiers can be hazardous to your health
and are poor air cleaners,
which is why the EPA and nearly every health
department in the United States recommends
you not use them.
The
State of California has approved a ban on
ozone air purifiers (9/28/07).
Click
here to see the list of banned air purifiers
if you're from California
This
page gives a few examples of why ozone air
purifiers are bad.
STATE
OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Some
devices, known as ozone generators, personal
ozone devices, “energized oxygen”, “triatomic
oxygen”, “activated oxygen” and “pure air”
generators are sold as air cleaners, but they
are not recommended for use in occupied buildings.
Ozone does not remove particles from the air,
and would not be effective during smoke events.
Ozone itself is toxic and a regulated outside
air pollutant. We advise the public to avoid
exposure to ozone indoors by not using air
cleaners that produce ozone.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/WildfireSmokeFAQ.doc
(MS Word)
TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Ozone-generating
devices should not be used in occupied spaces.
Ozone is a lung irritant.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/iaq/SchoolsGuide.shtm#Ozonegenerating
STATE
OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Devices
referred to as "ion generators"
or “ozone generators” produce
ozone either indirectly or directly, respectively.
Any "air cleaner" or "air purifier"
that produces ozone may pose a risk to you,
your family, and your pets. Some manufacturers
or vendors suggest that ozone will render
almost every chemical contaminant harmless
by producing a chemical reaction whose only
by-products are carbon dioxide, oxygen, and
water. They also claim that removing pollutants
will freshen the air using a process similar
to what occurs naturally during a thunderstorm.
According to the EPA’s review of scientifically
supported studies, these claims are unfounded
and dangerously misleading. Available scientific
evidence shows that at concentrations that
do not exceed public health standards, ozone
has little potential to remove indoor air
contaminants. Keep in mind that ozone (sometimes
referred to as Oxygen 3 or trivalent oxygen),
either indoors or outside, is unhealthy to
breathe and can cause serious health effects
or even death in high concentrations. Ozone
can irritate a person’s airways, reduce
lung function, aggravate asthma and chronic
lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis,
and inflame and damage the cells lining the
lungs. Ozone may also reduce the immune system’s
ability to fight off bacterial infections
in the respiratory system, and long-term,
repeated exposure may cause permanent lung
damage. That is why ozone generating air purifiers
are particularly dangerous for use in confined
spaces. The Michigan Attorney General (AG)
provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public
of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business
practices and to provide information and guidance
on other issues of concern. Since 1998, the
Michigan AG has had a Consumer Alert regarding
ozone generating devices.
http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-aqd-newlt-july04.pdf
US
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
"Even when ozone is present in low levels,
inhaling it triggers a variety of health problems
including chest pains, coughing, nausea, throat
irritation, and congestion. It also can worsen
bronchitis, heart disease, emphysema, and
asthma, and reduce lung capacity"
http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/ozone.shtml
EPA
"Contrary to the claims of some vendors,
no agency of the federal government has approved
these devices for use in occupied spaces.
In fact, when ozone is inhaled, it can damage
the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause
chest pain, coughing, nausea, throat irritation,
and congestion. It may also worsen bronchitis,
heart disease, emphysema, and asthma, and
can compromise the ability of the body to
fight respiratory infections. Although manufacturers
and vendors of ozone generators may describe
ozone as "energized oxygen" or "pure
air," ozone is a toxic gas with different
properties from oxygen. In fact, several federal
agencies have established health standards
or recommendations to limit human exposure
to ozone. Scientific studies have shown that
when ozone concentrations do not exceed these
public health standards, ozone has little
potential to remove indoor air contaminants.
Particles such as dust and pollen that cause
allergies are not removed by ozone. Ozone
is also not effective at removing many odor-causing
chemicals, nor does it remove viruses, bacteria,
mold, or other biological pollutants. The
public is advised to use proven methods of
controlling indoor air pollution"
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html
AMERICAN
LUNG ASSOCIATION
"It can have damaging health effects,
especially for persons with asthma and other
lung diseases, children and the elderly. It
is produced directly by ozone generators and
indirectly by ion generators and some other
electronic air cleaners. The American Lung
Association suggests that ozone generators
not be used."
NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
"no federal agency approves, much less
recommends, ozone generators for use in occupied
spaces."
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/ozone/airfresh.htm
STATE
OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"People should avoid using indoor air
cleaning devices that produce ozone, sometimes
referred to by marketers as activated oxygen,"
said Jim Stratton, M.D., M.P.H., State Health
Officer."
"Although ozone generating machines are
promoted as air cleaners, independent studies
have shown that the machines do not effectively
destroy microbes, remove odor sources or reduce
indoor pollutants sufficiently to provide
any health benefits. The Federal Trade Commission
has recently taken action against some manufacturers
of ozone generating machines for making unsupported
claims about the ability of the machines to
clean air."
www.applications.dhs.ca.gov/pressreleases/store/pressreleases/27-97.html
STATE
OF MINNESOTA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"Some air cleaners are designed to produce
ozone which is a strong oxidizing agent and
a known irritant of the lungs and respiratory
system. Studies have shown that ozone, even
at high concentrations, is not effective at
killing airborne mold or surface mold contamination.
Health experts, including the Minnesota Department
of Health, do not recommend the use of ozone
to address mold or any other indoor air problems."
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/mold/
NATIONAL
NETWORK FOR HEALTH
"Ozone is a molecule composed of three
oxygen atoms. It is a highly reactive chemical
that is sometimes used to clear pollution
in unoccupied buildings. It is also a strong
lung irritant. People with asthma can be especially
sensitive to ozone, and it can bring on attacks"
STATE
OF NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"Ozone air pollution has been reported
to be associated with an increase in hospital
visits related to asthma, pneumonia, and otherrespiratory
diseases. This was reported for several areas
in the United States, Canada, and Mexico ."
http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/oee/ozone/ozonewhitepaper.pdf
STATE
OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
"Although some manufacturers of air cleaning
equipment have claimed that ozone generators
can decrease volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
in the air, research has shown that such devices
may, in fact, increase some types of VOCS.
If an air cleaning device produces ozone at
a level that is effective in killing molds
and viruses, then it is also at a level that
can be harmful to human beings and pets.
Inhaling fairly low amounts of ozone can result
in signs and symptoms such as coughing, congestion,
wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain
in otherwise healthy people. People with already
existing asthma, bronchitis, heart disease,
and emphysema may find their conditions worsen
while inhaling ozone. Breathing ozone may
also increase the risk of getting certain
lung diseases."
http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/indoor_air/Ozone.aspx#four
STATE
OF WISCONSIN HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"Air cleaners employing electrostatic
precipitation or ion generation may produce
ozone, a gas that can irritate the lungs.
Production of ozone may be particularly high
if the air cleaning system has been improperly
installed or maintained. The Department of
Health and Family Services (DHFS) does not
recommend using air cleaning machines that
operate by producing ozone."
http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/eh/Air/fs/AirCleaner.htm
STATE
OF MISSISSIPPI HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"Some air cleaners are designed to produce
ozone. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent used
as a disinfectant in water and sometimes to
eliminate odors. However, ozone is a known
lung irritant. Symptoms associated with exposure
include cough, chest pain, and eye, nose,
and throat irritation. Ozone generators have
been shown to generate indoor levels above
the safe limit. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated
that ozone is not effective in controlling
molds and fungi, even at high concentrations
far above safe health levels. Also, ozone
may damage materials in the home. For these
reasons, the Mississippi Department of Health
strongly recommends that you do not use an
ozone air cleaner in any occupied residential
space."
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/index.cfm/43,323,283,331,html
STATE
OF ARIZONA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"ozone is not effective in controlling
molds and fungi, even at high concentrations
far above safe health levels. Also, ozone
may damage materials in the home. For these
reasons, the Arizona Department of Health
Services strongly recommends that you do not
use an ozone air cleaner in any occupied residential
space."
http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oeh/invsurv/air_qual/moldcleanup.htm
NBC
T.V. INVESTIGATION
"They generate ozone, which can be especially
irritating to people with asthma and other
lung problems -- the same people who often
buy these products to improve their health.
Ozone is the most harmful component of smog."
http://www.nbc11.com/health/3678379/detail.html
OSHA
(US GOVERNMENT)
"Sources: Copy machines, electrostatic
air cleaners, electrical arcing, smog. Acute
health effects: Eye, respiratory tract, mucous
membrane irritation; aggravation of chronic
respiratory diseases."
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_2.html
Ionic Air Purifier
Ozone Air Purifier
Airfree P1000 and Platinum P2000 Air Sterilizers
Hepa Air Purifiers:
Suffers from Allergy/asthma
Combination UV &Hepa Air Purifiers:
Has hyper chemical sensitivity to VOCs (volatile organic compounds)