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