| is a debate raging about the safety of ozone air | | | | Guard that is intended to clean the ozone out of |
| purifiers. Some love the fresh smell and swear by | | | | the air. While not all the ozone can be removed, |
| them. Others are voicing concerns about the | | | | the level in the room is lower than without the |
| ozone that is a by product of the air cleaning | | | | Ozone Guard feature. In spite of this change, |
| process. Ozone is a pollutant and at high levels can | | | | Consumer Reports still gave the system low |
| cause respiratory problems. This is particularly | | | | marks. According to their testing, the purifier |
| true for people living with a condition that causes | | | | scored just within the acceptable limit of ozone in |
| decreased lung function. | | | | the air. |
| How Ozone Air Purifiers Work | | | | Ozone is particularly bad for people with |
| These purifiers work by giving the air a positive | | | | decreased lung function. This includes people with |
| charge as it moves through the machine. This | | | | asthma or COPD. For these people, ozone can |
| causes the particles in the air to become charged | | | | cause coughing and shortness of breath. Many |
| as well. The charged contaminants are handled in | | | | find the symptoms of respiratory disease |
| one of two ways. In some systems, the air | | | | become worse when exposed to ozone in the air. |
| simply moves through the machine and is charged. | | | | 5 Ways to Improve Safety with Ozone Air |
| The particles then settle on your walls, furniture | | | | Purifierso Operate the purifier on a lower setting |
| and carpeting. These need to be vacuumed or | | | | to reduce the amount of ozone in your air. If |
| dusted away. | | | | odors are a problem, run the machine on the |
| More common is a system that contains a | | | | higher setting when you are not in the room and |
| collection grid to trap the contaminants in the air. | | | | then turn it to the lower setting.o Buy a machine |
| The Ionic Breeze is probably the best known of | | | | made for the size of your room. Using a machine |
| these systems. You have probably seen this | | | | intended for larger areas in a small room can |
| advertised on late night television. The particles | | | | cause an unhealthy level of ozone in the room. Be |
| attach to a collection grid. You remove the grid | | | | sure your unit is appropriate for the size of your |
| and wipe away the contaminants and then replace | | | | room.o Make sure the room is well ventilated. The |
| the grid in the machine. The grid is easy to clean | | | | more air circulation, the less ozone will accumulate |
| with a damp rag. This eliminates the need for | | | | in the room. Keep the doors open to increase air |
| replacement filters, as with hepa air purifiers. | | | | flow.o Home furnishings help absorb some of the |
| Safety Concerns with Ozone Air Purifiers | | | | ozone in your air. A sparsely furnished room will |
| The controversy over the safety of ozone | | | | contain more ozone in the air than a room with |
| gained publicity a few years ago when Consumer | | | | upholstered furniture, curtains, rugs, pillows and |
| Reports gave the Ionic Breeze a low rating due | | | | other decoration.o Run the appliance when you |
| to the ozone released. The position of Consumer | | | | are not in the room. Turn it off and air out the |
| Reports was that the ozone released was | | | | room before entering. If you are having company, |
| unhealthy. Sharper Image disputed this claim and | | | | you can run the machine in the empty room and |
| tried to sue Consumer Reports and the parent | | | | turn it off before your guests arrive. This will |
| company, unsuccessfully. | | | | remove odors and leave the room smelling fresh. |
| The new Ionic Breeze has a feature called Ozone | | | | |