| are many electronic stores which now sell ozone | | | | the other two to react with another substance. |
| generators as air purifiers. The manufacturers of | | | | The remaining two are released in the air forming |
| these ozone generators also claim that the device | | | | oxygen. |
| is effective against air pollution and there need not | | | | The working of an ozone purifier is based on this |
| be any worries as to how safe it is. However, | | | | principle. The free radical reacts with the organic |
| there are many health organizations across | | | | substances present in the air while the other two |
| America including the American Lung Association | | | | atoms forming oxygen purify the air. Although the |
| which have claimed that ozone can be seriously | | | | logic seems pretty strong, there is one gaping |
| harmful to our health and these devices should | | | | hole in it as is rightly pointed out by many health |
| never be sold disguised as air purifiers. | | | | experts. |
| The ones who are in the business of ozone | | | | Their main contention is that there is no |
| purifiers claim that ozone is like activated oxygen | | | | guarantee that the ozone being emitted from the |
| or pure air. Their intention is to position ozone as | | | | device is not breathed in by the user. And if |
| a healthier version of oxygen. But we must | | | | some one breathes in ozone then the free radical |
| remember what we learnt in chemistry when we | | | | now has no option but to react with the organic |
| were in school, that is, ozone is a completely | | | | substances present in our body. This is potentially |
| different chemical from oxygen and it is toxic, | | | | very harmful to our body. There ca be severe |
| especially when we inhale it in. | | | | consequences because of this. If you inhale ozone |
| The molecular structure of ozone and oxygen are | | | | you can actually damage your lungs. |
| pretty similar though. While ozone is composed of | | | | So if you were thinking of getting an ozone |
| three atoms of oxygen, oxygen itself has just | | | | purifier, think again. In any case there is plenty of |
| two. Again an ozone molecule is not very stable | | | | oxygen in the air and we don't need any more. All |
| by itself and readily reacts with other substances. | | | | we got to do is to ensure that the air we breathe |
| This is because the third oxygen atom in ozone | | | | in is free of these particulates. And this can be |
| acts as a free radical. It readily dissociates from | | | | achieved by other purifiers as well. |