Some popular air cleaners actually pollute the air with ozone, a known lung irritant. Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms; it's the same molecule that makes up the ozone layer of our upper atmosphere. Stratospheric ozone is a good thing because it protects us from dangerous UV rays; however, ozone in the air we breathe is harmful.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that "relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections."
Ion generators are sold as air cleaners, but they actually pollute the air; they emit ozone, which can irritate the lungs and even cause asthma. On top of that, despite their popularity, ionic air cleaners do not work very well. They create charged particles (ions) and emit them into the surrounding air. These ions combine with impurities (like dust) in the air, forcing the impurities to cling to a nearby surface. Consequently, ion generators often produce dirty spots on nearby walls and floors because they do not eliminate impurities; ion generators simply force impurities to cling to a surface (in the same way that static electricity can make a sock cling to a shirt). HEPA air purifiers, on the other hand, actually trap pollutants inside the filter.
The EPA tells us: "Available scientific evidence shows that, at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is generally ineffective in controlling indoor air pollution."
The American Lung Association (ALA) agrees that "ozone is a potent lung irritant and exposure to elevated levels is a contributor to the exacerbation of lung disease; it is especially dangerous for persons with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, children, and the elderly."
The ALA does not suggest the use of ozone generators because "ozone generators, negative ion generators, and certain other electronic air cleaners that are not listed by the FDA, or cannot otherwise prove that their ozone emission levels are lower than 0.05 ppm, may produce levels of ozone recognized as unsafe for humans and are not recommended for use in occupied spaces because of the risk of generation of ozone."
Consumer Reports (1992), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (1995), and the U.S. EPA (1995) concluded that tabletop and room unit ozone generators are not effective in improving indoor air quality.
The EPA advises the public to "use proven methods of controlling indoor air pollution," which include eliminating or controlling pollutant sources, increasing outdoor air ventilation, and using proven methods of air cleaning, such as HEPA air purifiers.
"Many of our competitors sell ozone generators and ion generators as air cleaners," says Cade McDonald, CEO of achooallergy.com. "But you want find any of those machines at achooallergy.com. Our mission is to help people breathe better with products that are scientifically proven to work safely and effectively - and we would never sell a product that may be harmful to your health. That's not a chance we're willing to take."
More more people are becoming more quality of life-conscious in general as illnesses and headaches affecting the vitality of the public are at higher levels already during the past decade more so than ever before.
Bottled water became huge hit within the last decade or so and it shows how most people are willing to go and pay to satisfy simple necessities and being free from impurities in the natural environment.
Air purifiers are certainly not a light investment to simply gloss over without some research. They represent a sizeable investment for many households.
Most individuals especially in the middle class will ponder air purifiers although central to be more of a luxury as opposed to a necessity. So when they finally get out their wallets and make a purchase of an air purifier it is in their best interest to keep up it so that it can last longer way beyond its normal shelf life.
The one thing to note is to not leave the machine on for an extended period of time and to give it a break from time to time. The other important thing is to clean the filter or whatever mechanism it has for collecting air particles regularly. You want to make sure that it is maintained according to or better than the manufacturer's suggested guidelines.
Guidelines may vary wildly based on the configuration that the air purifier is placed into. You want to make sure that it does not try to do more than it's designed to handle otherwise it may get damaged more easily and thus may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Doing this will insure that your indoor air cleaners work for the optimal amount of time before you have to replace it.
Both M. Scott Smith & John Thompson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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