| Although many products are marketed as air | | | | The Trouble with Some Air Purifiers |
| purifiers, not all of them are created equal. In fact, | | | | Several air purifiers that are on the market today |
| many so-called air purifiers actually generate | | | | are being protested by watch groups for |
| ozone, a chemical that is fine when it's safely | | | | generating ozone as a byproduct. Ion generators |
| contained within the Earth's atmosphere - but not | | | | are one of the most common examples of this |
| so great when inhaled by human beings. In order | | | | phenomenon. Ion generators create charged |
| to be a savvy air purifier shopper, you need to | | | | particles, which are called ions, and send them out |
| be aware of the dangers of ozone, and how to | | | | into the air in your home. Those charged ions |
| avoid inadvertently purchasing a purifier that | | | | then become attached to particles in the air, |
| actually compromises the indoor air quality of your | | | | weighing them down and making them fall. Instead |
| home instead of improving it. Learn more about | | | | of pulling them from the air, then, these |
| ozone and problematic air purifiers by reading on | | | | generators simply bog them down - they are still |
| below. | | | | present in the home. All the while, ozone is being |
| What is Ozone? | | | | created. |
| Ozone is a special kind of molecule that is made | | | | What Environmental Groups Have to Say |
| out of three oxygen atoms. Most of us are | | | | Several watch groups, including the California |
| familiar with ozone due to the ozone layer, the | | | | Resources Board, have released warnings about |
| special part of the Earth's atmosphere that helps | | | | ion and ozone generators. People who are |
| deflect harmful UV rays. Concerns about the | | | | shopping for air purifiers often get misled and |
| depletion of the Earth's ozone layer have given it | | | | purchase one of those machines instead of one |
| a prominent place in the news for some time now | | | | that actually cleans and purifies the air. In turn, |
| - but there are even more pressing concerns | | | | their homes are filled with ozone, which actually |
| when it comes to this molecule. In fact, exposure | | | | compromises the health of those who live there. |
| to ozone and breathing high quantities of it can | | | | Talk about backfiring! Truth in advertising is |
| cause a laundry list of health problems. | | | | imperative, and ion and ozone generators need to |
| Why Ozone is Dangerous | | | | come clean with the public about the harm they |
| Surprisingly, you don't even need to be exposed | | | | actually cause to those exposed to them. |
| to exorbitant amounts of ozone in order to feel | | | | How to Avoid Ozone Generators |
| its ill effects. Even in small doses, ozone can cause | | | | Shopping for an air purifier can be confusing, what |
| shortness of breath, coughing chest pains, and an | | | | with the dizzying array of products that are on |
| irritated throat. Some studies also suggest that | | | | the market today. The number one thing to keep |
| ozone can exacerbate conditions like asthma, and | | | | in mind is to steer clear of any product that touts |
| can make people more susceptible to coming | | | | itself as being an ion generator or an ozone |
| down with various other illnesses. Without a doubt, | | | | generator. If the air purifier does not involve a |
| living a healthy lifestyle means avoiding ozone; it's | | | | filter of any kind, or if it makes mention of either |
| shocking, then, to discover that many air cleaners | | | | of those characteristics, then it will not improve |
| actually produce ozone as a byproduct, introducing | | | | the indoor air quality of your home and you |
| it to the air in your home and exposing you and | | | | should not purchase it. |
| your loved ones to it. | | | | |