There's no ozone emission from air purifiers that use only high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) to cleanse the air. Ionizing air purifiers, because of their electric charge, do create ozone. Consumer Reports has warned that they may give off potentially harmful ozone levels.
Air purifiers that may generate ozone and other harmful chemicals are listed as “Electrical” under the type column. Those that do not generate ozone or ions are listed as “Mechanical”. Smart Air's purifiers, shown above, are all of the “mechanical” type and do not use ionizers.
Since it's tough to make ions without getting ozone as a by-product, and since negative ionizers generally just dirty the wall up by the ionizer, it's generally better not to run one, especially in a confined space.
Many UV air purifiers are also ozone generators.
Just like ozone in the earth's atmosphere reacts with UV rays from the sun, the light and heat in some UV air purifiers can also generate heat that turns free-floating molecules of oxygen (O and O2) and water (H2O) into dangerous ground-level ozone (O3).
When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.
Ozone kills bacteria but any left over bacteria is still able to reproduce. UV light sterilizers the bacteria to prevent the bacteria from reproducing. For optimal sanitization, utilize both ozonation and UV light together to maintain clean and safe water for users and reduce chemical usage.
Specific effects may include throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infections. Some ozone air purifiers are made with an ion generator, sometimes called an ionizer, in the same unit.
Your best option might be to keep the windows closed, especially on warm and sunny days with little or no wind. Running an air purifier that can remove ozone in your home, either with a carbon filter or using PECO technology, may help lower ozone levels indoors.
An ozone generator produces ozone that attacks the source of odor causing gases through a process called oxidation and permanently removes the odor. This is very different from a negative ion generator, or ionizer, whose primary purpose is to reduce particles like dust and pollen floating around in air spaces.
A noticeable reduction in the amount of dust on surfaces indicates that the air purifier is effectively removing dust particles from the air. Consistently lower dust levels across multiple days or weeks further confirm the effectiveness of the device.
Overall, removing contaminants from the air will not have a negative impact on sleep. Here at Molekule we recommend keeping your purifier on at all times so it cleans the air as much as possible.
Signs That Your Air Purifier Produces Ozone
Product Information: Manufacturers are required to disclose if their products produce ozone. Check the product specifications, user manual, or the manufacturer's website. Look for any mention of ozone generation or emission levels.
Headaches, sore throat, coughing, Asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing are a few of the symptoms that can be brought on by some air purifiers. Yes, that's right. Your air purifier may actually aggravate many of the health issues you hoped it would solve.
Ozone poisoning should be treated symptomatically. A period of medical observation may be necessary because of the risk of delayed lung damage. I.V. application of 1 g of Vitamin C and administration of oxygen (3 L/min) may help in the recovery of the symptoms.
This unique smell is an important aspect to consider when using certain air purifiers. Understanding these scent profiles can help you identify if ozone is present in your air. Here are some of the most common descriptions of ozone's smell: Crisp, like fresh air after a storm.
As previously mentioned, many air conditioners utilize Freon R-22 as a refrigerant, which is considered an ozone-depleting chemical (ODC). The EPA has banned the use of ODCs because they destroy ozone in our upper atmosphere, something that protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun!
Ozone, on the other hand, is designed to oxidize odors at their source. It usually dissipates less than an hour, leaving the air smelling fresh, with no residue. In fact, it will even eliminate the heavy smell that can linger from a deodorizer.
CARB recommends that ozone generators not be used, except for approved industrial purposes where harmful exposure to ozone is prevented. Not only are ozone generators ineffective at cleaning indoor air, but inhaling ozone poses serious health risks for humans and animals.
Compared to ionizers, air purifiers work on a wider range of particle sizes, from large allergens like dust and pollen to smaller ones such as pet dander, bacteria and viruses.
But with the use of devices to clean indoor air using chemical methods or UV light, “all of a sudden some of this oxidation is brought indoors,” triggering a potential cascade of reactions, Kroll says. Initially, the UV light interacts with oxygen in the air to form ozone, which is itself a health risk.
Excessive exposure can be carcinogenic. UV-A is the least energetic type of UV radiation, occupying wavelengths from 315-400 nm. Like UV-B, it can be harmful to skin and eyes, so direct exposure should be avoided.
The result is clearer, odor-free, and safer water for hot tub users. Reduced Chemical Usage: Ozone's ability to oxidize contaminants reduces the reliance on chlorine or bromine, minimizing the potential for skin and eye irritation. It also means less frequent chemical handling and maintenance.