Every air purifier is not created equal. In the world of air purifiers, there are several options to choose from. From HEPA to ionic to ozone air purifiers, the process of choosing the right unit for your home can become confusing and maybe even a little overwhelming. But, you can check ozone air purifiers off your list right now! Contrary to what you may have heard about ozone air purifiers, these units are in reality very dangerous and most don’t even effectively purify the air.
What is Ozone?
Many of us have probably already heard about ozone. This is the gas that is commonly associated with our atmosphere. It is made up of 3 oxygen atoms. We normally breathe oxygen in its most stable form that consists of only 2 oxygen atoms. The third atom of oxygen that is present in ozone makes the molecule unstable. This instability is what allows that third oxygen atom to break off and combine with other organic molecules in the environment. The combination of the lone oxygen atom will alter the chemical make-up of the molecule it binds with.
What do Ozone Air Purifiers Claim They Do?
Ozone air purifiers are really just ozone generators that are sold as air purifiers. The manufacturers claim that when the ozone breaks down, the lone oxygen will combine with airborne contaminants and render them ineffective. This process is how ozone works. However, these types of air purifiers claim to be able to clean the air as well as remove odors from the home because of the reaction ozone has with airborne pollutants like mold, mildew, dust, and pollen.
The Problem
The problem is that the same way ozone binds with organic molecules outside the body; it can do the same reaction inside the body. Why is this so dangerous? Well, that lone oxygen molecule is considered to be a free radical. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that readily bind with almost anything they come in contact with. As free radicals bind to molecules they cause damage to its chemical composition, and when this occurs in the body, it can have drastic affects on our health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ozone exposure, even at low levels, can cause or worsen:
- Respiratory distress
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Throat irritation
- Lung scaring or damage
- Asthma and other pre-existing respiratory diseases
Ever wonder why so many food companies are advertising for products that contain antioxidants lately? Antioxidants bind to the lone oxygen atoms in the body and render them ineffective at causing damage. People should want to avoid this type of exposure at all costs. Though some of these symptoms may be temporary, with prolonged exposure many of these could become permanent health problems.
Why Would Anyone Use an Ozone Air Purifier?
With the information about these harmful side effects readily available, why would anyone purchase an ozone purifier? Well, it’s simple: good advertising! Many companies sell these products attached to the terms “pure ozone” or “good ozone.” What they are doing is basically misunderstanding the terms used to describe ozone that is found in the atmosphere. “Good ozone” is ozone that is found in the high levels of our atmosphere, or the stratosphere. This level of ozone protects us from the harmful UV rays of the sun. “Bad ozone,” is the ozone that is found in lower layers of the atmosphere. The lower layers consist of the air we breathe, and when ozone is found here, it is considered “bad” because of the harmful affect is has on humans.
Another tactic they use is the claim that these purifiers emit such low levels of ozone that it doesn’t do any damage. The EPA has proven this to be another falsehood. Many salesmen will sell a unit that is much too powerful for the space that you live in to increase the profit on their sale. You may even purchase one online that is built to purify a larger area then needed, because you are under the impression that more power equal cleaner air. More power really mean more ozone. However, even a properly sized unit can cause health problems because ozone is a dangerous gas.
The EPA also challenges the claim that these companies make about ozone’s ability to purify the air. After several tests of the effects of ozone on an indoor environment, they found that ozone is ineffective at removing indoor air pollutants at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards. This includes dust, pollen, mold, mildew and other allergens. They found that it can even create higher concentrations of other harmful molecules that would not have been present without the help of ozone.
What are Ozone Generators Good for?
Ozone generators have only proven useful in situations where humans and animals were not present, or as a water purification device. The effects of ozone in water are very different from its affect on the air. If you had a flooding in a basement, or a fire, ozone can be used in high concentrations to destroy the odors and biological pollutants like mold. The concentration needed to do so is much higher than the public health standard, so it is important that no one is present what the ozone treatment is being performed. The EPA admits that they do not yet know all of the possible effects that ozone can have after a treatment like this, so it is important to take caution when planning an ozone treatment. Choose your contractor wisely, and make sure that it is someone who explains the risks upfront. If they do not do so, you cannot be sure that the job is being done in a proper and safe manner.
Overall, it is probably a good idea to steer clear of ozone creating products. There are several other products on the market that do not come with these types of problems, and they should be utilized first. Before you purchase any air purifying product, make sure you read the labels and are aware potential consequences of using an ozone air purifier.
useful site
Helpful, book marked, thanks a ton.
Helpful, book-marked, thanks a ton.