| Ozone air purifiers are commonly available and | | | | There are several factors which can contribute to |
| sold in the marketplace as a health enhancing tool | | | | the build up of ozone, some of them beyond the |
| to use in your household. The manufacturers | | | | control of the consumer and difficult to predict. |
| often claim that they are superior air purification | | | | Therefore the manufacturers recommendations |
| systems, and that the "energized oxygen" that | | | | are useless in the face of these factors, and the |
| the machine emits will eliminate viruses, bacteria, | | | | machine can end up creating enough ozone to |
| pollens, household dust, as well as odours and | | | | cause respiratory problems and trigger and |
| volatile organic compounds. | | | | asthma attack. These factors include: the size of |
| Unfortunately, the claims are not true. Not only | | | | the room the unit is in, the amount of ventilation, |
| that, ozone air purifiers can actually be harmful to | | | | the concentration of the ozone outdoors, and the |
| your health. Much scientific research has been | | | | type and amount of material in the room or |
| done regarding these machines, including a | | | | home with which the ozone can react. |
| relatively high profile study by the Environmental | | | | At Safe Levels, Ozone Has No Effect on Indoor |
| Protection Agency in the United States. | | | | Air Pollution |
| Here are the three main conclusions of that | | | | In many tests conducted using ozone as an air |
| study, and three really good reasons why you | | | | purifier, if was concluded that in order to actually |
| don't want an ozone air purifier in your home: | | | | be effective against bacteria, mold, pollens, viruses |
| Ozone Can Damage Your Lungs | | | | and dust mites, the levels of ozone would have to |
| Ozone is actually a toxic chemical that exists in | | | | be 5 to 10 times higher than what is considered |
| the atmosphere. We think of it as a good thing, | | | | the safe limit. Also, ozone concentrations were |
| because up in the stratosphere it is useful in | | | | found to have no effect on odours, and limited or |
| keeping our atmosphere intact, and blocking some | | | | no effect on chemicals, including carbon monoxide, |
| of the harmful radiation from the sun. However, | | | | which manufacturers claim it can remove. In fact, |
| down here in the troposphere, it becomes a | | | | when higher levels of ozone are applied, a |
| powerful lung irritant, that has been linked to | | | | chemical reaction could occur which creates a |
| asthma attacks. Though it is naturally occurring, | | | | by-product likely to be harmful or at least irritating |
| and can be created by sunlight and lighting storms | | | | to the lungs and body. |
| among other things, it does not automatically | | | | In essence, the argument against having an ozone |
| follow that it is 'good for you'. Breathing ozone | | | | air purifier in your home is this: Ozone can be |
| can cause restrictions, cellular damage, lead to | | | | dangerous to your health, the level the machine |
| asthma attacks, and reduce the body's ability to | | | | creates is unpredictable and largely uncontrollable, |
| fight infection. | | | | and finally, ozone doesn't even work as an air |
| Ozone Air Purifiers Can Create Dangerous Levels | | | | purification system unless used at levels that are |
| of Ozone | | | | quite likely going to cause health problems. |