| Some popular air cleaners actually pollute | | | | The American Lung Association (ALA) agrees |
| the air with ozone, a known lung irritant. | | | | that "ozone is a potent lung irritant and |
| Ozone is a molecule composed of three oxygen | | | | exposure to elevated levels is a contributor |
| atoms; it's the same molecule that makes up | | | | to the exacerbation of lung disease; it is |
| the ozone layer of our upper atmosphere. | | | | especially dangerous for persons with asthma |
| Stratospheric ozone is a good thing because | | | | and other chronic lung diseases, children, |
| it protects us from dangerous UV rays; | | | | and the elderly." |
| however, ozone in the air we breathe is | | | | |
| harmful. | | | | The ALA does not suggest the use of ozone |
| | | | generators because "ozone generators, |
| The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | negative ion generators, and certain other |
| states that "relatively low amounts can cause | | | | electronic air cleaners that are not listed |
| chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, | | | | by the FDA, or cannot otherwise prove that |
| and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen | | | | their ozone emission levels are lower than |
| chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma | | | | 0.05 ppm, may produce levels of ozone |
| and compromise the ability of the body to | | | | recognized as unsafe for humans and are not |
| fight respiratory infections." | | | | recommended for use in occupied spaces |
| | | | because of the risk of generation of ozone." |
| Ion generators are sold as air cleaners, but | | | | |
| they actually pollute the air; they emit | | | | Consumer Reports (1992), the National |
| ozone, which can irritate the lungs and even | | | | Institute of Occupational Safety and Health |
| cause asthma. On top of that, despite their | | | | (1995), and the U.S. EPA (1995) concluded |
| popularity, ionic air cleaners do not work | | | | that tabletop and room unit ozone generators |
| very well. They create charged particles | | | | are not effective in improving indoor air |
| (ions) and emit them into the surrounding | | | | quality. |
| air. These ions combine with impurities (like | | | | |
| dust) in the air, forcing the impurities to | | | | The EPA advises the public to "use proven |
| cling to a nearby surface. Consequently, ion | | | | methods of controlling indoor air pollution," |
| generators often produce dirty spots on | | | | which include eliminating or controlling |
| nearby walls and floors because they do not | | | | pollutant sources, increasing outdoor air |
| eliminate impurities; ion generators simply | | | | ventilation, and using proven methods of air |
| force impurities to cling to a surface (in | | | | cleaning, such as HEPA air purifiers. |
| the same way that static electricity can make | | | | |
| a sock cling to a shirt). HEPA air purifiers, | | | | "Many of our competitors sell ozone |
| on the other hand, actually trap pollutants | | | | generators and ion generators as air |
| inside the filter. | | | | cleaners," says Cade McDonald, CEO of "But |
| | | | you want find any of those machines at Our |
| The EPA tells us: "Available scientific | | | | mission is to help people breathe better with |
| evidence shows that, at concentrations that | | | | products that are scientifically proven to |
| do not exceed public health standards, ozone | | | | work safely and effectively - and we would |
| is generally ineffective in controlling | | | | never sell a product that may be harmful to |
| indoor air pollution." | | | | your health. That's not a chance we're |
| | | | willing to take. |