Consumer Reports Clears Air On Air Filter Systems article

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Consumer Reports Clears Air On Air Filter Systems

http://www.wral.com/money/4454476/detail.html

Consumer Reports recently tested ionic air cleaners to see if they are

worth the expense.

From dust and smoke to pollen, the air cleaners are supposed to get

rid of it all. However, Consumer Reports tests show, not only do they

not work, the cleaners actually emit ozone -- some at potentially

harmful levels. That can be a problem if you have asthma or

respiratory allergies.

" Ozone is an irritant that can aggravate asthma and it can also

decrease lung function. As the ozone level rises, people can get chest

pain, wheezing and shortness of breath, " said Dr. Marvin Lipman of

Consumer Reports.

Simulating tests used by the industry, Consumer Reports measured how

much ozone the devices emit in a sealed room. In one test, five

ionizing air cleaners emitted more than the maximum industry standard.

Consumer Reports also tested the air cleaners in an open,

well-ventilated lab. At two inches away, two of the air cleaners still

produced levels of ozone well in excess of the voluntary standard.

Although the ozone levels dropped significantly when measured at three

feet away, Consumer Reports did not recommend the ionizing air

cleaners.

" Basically, they're not doing their primary job, which is to remove

particulates from the air, so if they can't do that, but in addition,

they're creating ozone, which can be an irritant, particularly to

those with compromised respiratory systems, why buy them? " said Jim

Nanni, of Consumer Reports.

The five not-recommended devices are the Pure Ion from tone, the

Professional Series Ionic Breeze Quadra from Sharper Image, the Ionic

Pro, the IonizAir, and the XJ 2000 Ionic Air Purifier from Surround

Air.

The publisher of Consumer Reports is sending its findings to the

Consumer Product Safety Commission. A report is expected later this

year.

If you want an air cleaner that did a good job and produced little

ozone, Consumer Reports recommends the Friedrich model for $450 or a

Whirlpool for $250.