Air purifiers that may generate ozone and other harmful chemicals are listed as “Electrical” under the type column. Those that do not generate ozone or ions are listed as “Mechanical”.
Ozone has a very characteristic pungent odor, sometimes described as like chlorine bleach, and it can sometimes be detected after lightning strikes or during electrical discharges. Individual humans vary in their ability to smell ozone; some people can smell it at levels as low as 0.05 ppm.
Air cleaners that utilize ionizers and electrostatic precipitators are other types of devices that emit ozone, but do so as a by-product of their design and function.
PECO uses safe UV-A light instead of harmful UV-C light. This prevents any ozone from being produced. PECO has even been found to reduce levels of ozone in the air because ozone molecules are converted into breathable oxygen.
How do I know if my air purifier is cleaning the air?
Testing the Performance of Portable Air Purifiers
Airflow Test. First, check the system's airflow. A working air purifier features clear, consistent airflow. ...
Filter Test. The filter test means examining the internal filters that come with the device. A full or dirty filter is a sign that the system is working.
When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and, throat irritation. It may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma as well as compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.
Some proprietary products are designed specifically for ozone removal. Burnett Process filters use activated carbon, while Purafilter uses activated carbon and sodium permanganate to remove ozone and other chemicals from the air. They are typically installed in the HVAC systems in large facilities and public buildings.
If you decide to purchase a portable air cleaner, filtering air cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are recommended because these do not emit ozone but do remove particulate matter from the air.
Ionic air cleaners generate ozone as a by-product.
The EPA has classed ozone as toxic, noting that it can cause lung damage, amongst other respiratory-related issues. In some cases, it can even cause death.
Do Honeywell air purifiers produce ozone? No—none of the Honeywell air purifiers in our product selection produce ozone. Ozone is a powerful lung irritant produced by some air purifiers.
Electrochemical sensors are the go-to solution for measuring ozone indoors, where they can provide accurate and consistent measurements and clearly 'single out' ozone among other VOCs.
Some people describe the smell of ozone as sharp and somewhat similar to chlorine bleach (the same bleach used in household cleaners and pool maintenance). Others describe the smell of ozone as a distinct electric or even a metallic odor.
Ozone: The smell of ozone coming from your furnace is usually that of electrical burning. Similar to chlorine, you may have detected this odor before if you've ever been outside during a thunderstorm. It typically occurs in furnaces because the blower motor has aged, and started generating too much electricity.
People most at risk from breathing air containing ozone include people with asthma, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors, especially outdoor workers.
Besides ambient ozone that can seep into offices, there are a few specific sources of ozone that are strictly indoor. Indoor ozone emission devices, or IOEDs, include air purifiers, disinfectors, laser printers, photocopiers, and others.
When ground-level ozone levels are high, take steps to limit the amount of air you breathe in while you're outside. For example: Think about spending more time indoors, where ozone levels are usually lower. Choose easier outdoor activities (like walking instead of running) so you don't breathe as hard.
Ozone (O3) is a gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. Often called photochemical "smog," ozone is harmful to breathe. Ozone aggressively attacks lung tissue by reacting chemically with it. When ozone is present, there are other harmful pollutants created by the same processes that make ozone.
With open windows, it should take about 30 minutes to air out. If you are unable to open windows in your basement, it may take up to 4 hours for the ozone smell to dissipate and revert back to breathable oxygen.
Ozone damages the cells that line the air spaces in the lung. Within a few days, the damaged cells are replaced and the old cells are shed–much in the way skin peels after a sunburn. If this kind of damage occurs repeatedly, it may lead to permanent damage to your lungs that could cause a lower quality of life.
Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma. However, some manufactures have stated their newer models do not produce ozone or other reactive oxygen species.
Since air pollution is a pervasive and continuous problem, it's best to leave your air purifier on all day. There are no perceived drawbacks to keeping your unit running all the time, and if the filters are changed on time it can help to reduce pollutants in the home.
While an air purifier can work to remove some indoor pollutants, there is very little medical evidence that they will directly improve your health. However, allergy or asthma sufferers might find an air purifier with a HEPA filter is of use when it comes to removing fine airborne particles.