Ozone is a powerful oxidant that can be both beneficial and harmful to health, depending on its concentration and how it is used. In its pure form, ozone can be toxic when inhaled, causing chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. When mixed with other chemicals, ozone can also be hazardous to health. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recommends avoiding the use of ozone generators, except for approved industrial purposes where exposure to ozone is avoided.
Ozone generators are ineffective at cleaning indoor air and can pose serious health risks to people and animals. This article will analyze the potential health risks associated with ozone deodorizers and provide alternative solutions for improving indoor air quality. What are Ozone Generators?Ozone generators are devices that intentionally emit large amounts of ozone, the main component of smog. Consumer-friendly personal ozone generators are designed to produce relatively high concentrations of ozone, but do not filter particulates.
Commercial ozone generators produce even higher concentrations of ozone and should never be used in a room with a person present. Studies have found that using ozone to reduce particles, gases, or odors is ineffective and can be directly harmful to humans. Air filters that use ionizers and electrostatic precipitators also emit ozone as a result of their design and function. Some ozone air purifiers produce so much ozone that they cause accumulations that could cause serious alerts of environmental pollution in outdoor air. To combat this, some ozone generators include an ionizer that disperses negatively charged ions into the air.
Are There Alternatives to Ozone Generators?
Before founding Foreverozone, I sold air purifiers through a website called Air Purifiers Superstore for 8 years. During this time, I learned about the various types of air purifiers available on the market and their effectiveness in improving indoor air quality.Air purifiers that use HEPA filters are the most effective at removing particles from the air. Activated carbon filters are also effective at removing odors from the air without producing any ozone. UV light air purifiers are effective at killing bacteria and viruses in the air without producing any ozone. In conclusion, it is important to understand the potential health risks associated with using ozone deodorizers. CARB recommends avoiding the use of ozone generators except for approved industrial purposes where exposure to ozone is avoided.
Air purifiers that use HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, or UV light are effective alternatives for improving indoor air quality without producing any ozone.