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