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