Exposure to ozone irritates and inflames the lining of the respiratory system. This causes symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and impaired breathing. Ozone can worsen asthma symptoms, and may contribute to the development of asthma.
Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners
Inhalation of relatively small amounts of ozone can cause coughing, chest pain, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
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. You can also buy ionizers as separate units.
Do not use an air purifier that employs ionization technology. It produces harmful ozone (a lung irritant) and the technology encourages harmful particles to stick within your lung tissue. The ionizer charges particles that would otherwise be neutral and thus encourages them to stick to a negative field.
The short answer: yes. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends an air purifier during bedtime to promote better breathing while you sleep.
It's perfectly safe to keep the device running continuously, and the amount of energy it consumes is very small.
For this reason, the equipment can stand in the living room during the day, while in the bedroom at night. Do not forget about the height of the position of the purifier. Specialists recommend placing the device on the floor, because it is near the ground that there is a higher concentration of pollutants.
Medical professionals suggest prioritizing maintaining a clean home and frequently sanitizing frequently used surfaces. Air purifiers should just be an accessory to your cleaning routine, not a priority.
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.
These devices work by using charged ions to make airborne particles stick to surfaces, which helps the particles get captured more easily by filters. A big downside of ionizers is that they cause particles to stick inside our lungs! That means ionizers might make people more likely to get infected.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
Air that is too dry from some air purifiers can cause air purifier dry throat, sinus irritation, and nosebleeds. Using a humidifier in addition to an air purifier can help mitigate this potential side effect.
Some air cleaners can actually irritate your allergies, not help them. Ionic electrostatic room cleaners release ions, which force particles to attach to walls or surfaces. But they don't remove all the particles from the air, and the ozone that is produced is a known irritant.
Exposure to air pollution can affect everyone's health. When we breathe in air pollutants, they can enter our bloodstream and contribute to coughing or itchy eyes and cause or worsen many breathing and lung diseases, leading to hospitalizations, cancer, or even premature death.
If your cough is being caused by some sort of particle in the air, which can cause a bad cough for asthma or allergy sufferers, an air purifier would probably better assist you. If your throat is dry and you're coughing as a result, a humidifier would help more in that case.
First, check the system's airflow. A working air purifier features clear, consistent airflow. If the purifier is not blowing out air (easily determined by placing your hand in front of the system), there's likely a problem. If you are unable to hear anything, that's also a sign the purifier isn't working.
Do not use an ionizer in an enclosed space when someone is present. Either open a window or run the ionizer when no one is home, turning it off whenever anyone is in the room with it.
Activated carbon filters work by trapping these gaseous pollutants on a bed of activated carbon. Like most HEPA filters, activated carbon filters are ozone-free, making them a safe option for improving indoor air quality.
How air purifiers can boost your health. Many of the potential benefits of using an air purifier are related to your lungs, particularly for conditions such as asthma. “By filtering out fine particles, purifiers help clean the air you breathe and lessen the potential negative effects of pollution,” says Dr. Taliercio.
Recent research by researchers from the University of Reading and the University of Sussex, commissioned by Dyson, has found that using an air purifier can have a positive impact on sleep outcomes.
Ensure your air purifier has enough clearance around it to function optimally. Avoid placing it behind furniture or in tight corners where airflow might be restricted. Ideally, there should be at least 3-5 feet of clear space around the unit to allow for unimpeded air intake and output.
Air purifiers work the best when they are used in confined spaces such as closed rooms. You can open the doors and windows for proper ventilation and a supply of fresh air during the day. However, make sure that you close the doors and windows when you use the air purifier.
When used correctly, air purifiers with HEPA filters can effectively reduce dust and other allergens in the air. They may be particularly useful if you're allergic to dust mites or pollen or if allergens trigger your asthma. You can choose from many types of air purifiers.