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