Ozone Air Purifiers: Are There Healthier Alternatives? Generally, the phrase "air purification" is synonymous with health. Why would anyone purchase an air purifier if they weren't interested in making their breathing environment healthier? What many consumers don't know is that some air purifiers come with hidden dangers. Air purifiers that emit ozone, either intentionally or as a byproduct, pose risks to human health and the environment.
Ozone is a molecule formed by three oxygen atoms. Ozone is found in two places:
To use a phrase coined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ozone is "good up high???bad nearby." Types of Air Cleaners That Emit OzoneOzone Generators: Air purifiers which emit ozone purposefully are known as ozone generators. Ozone air purifiers are often marketed as having "activated oxygen" or "trivalent oxygen" which is misleading because it confounds dangerous O3 with harmless O2. There is evidence that ozone has minimal purification ability, best suited for industrial cleaning in abandoned spaces.The problem is that for the air to actually be cleaned, ozone has to be pumped out at an unhealthily high level. Closed indoor environments are more quickly filled with ozone, and studies have shown that a room with one of these machines can swell to ozone concentration over the World Health Organizations recommendation of <60 ppb in less than an hour. Ionizers & Electrostatic Precipitators: Some traditional air purifiers emit lower levels of ozone as a byproduct of cleansing. While they typically produce less ozone than ozone generating models, they also pose a health risk. It is important to note that not all ionizers and electrostatic precipitators emit ozone. California's Air Resources Board provides an incomplete, but useful, list of ozone emitting air purifiers on the market. Personal Air Purifiers: Personal purifiers are small gadgets designed to be worn around the neck, in a shirt pocket, or on the lapel. These products are largely being phased out of the marketplace, but are worth mentioning. There is no evidence that personal air purifiers make any positive difference in air quality whatsoever, and many are dangerous. Essentially, the device shoots fresh air into the breathing area of the wearer, around their mouth and nose. Like home ionizers, these pint-sized purifiers produce negatively charged ions; ozone is emitted as a byproduct. A scientific study by Phillips et. al. of the EPA found that ozone levels with these products exceeds the safety level accepted in the U.S. Hazards for Health
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Excess ozone also has adverse effects on plants. It stunts plant growth and can cause their leaves to develop red discoloration (shown in photo). These results are particularly significant in regards to agriculture, because high concentrations of ozone in the environment can cut crop yield by large fractions.