Warning: Danger from Popular Air Purifying Machines

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http://healthandenergy.com/dangerous_ozone_machines.htm

Warning: Danger from Popular " Air Purifying " Machines

by California Environmental Protection Agency

January 26, 2005

SACRAMENTO - Today, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) heard

evidence revealing the unrecognized danger from indoor air purifiers

known as ozone generators. Sold as indoor air cleaners, indoor air

purifiers, and personal air purifiers, they intentionally emit large

amounts of ozone, a criteria air pollutant, purportedly to clean the

air.

" These machines are insidious. Marketed as a strong defense against

indoor air pollution, they emit ozone, the same chemical that the

ARB and the USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) have been

trying to eliminate from our air for decades, " said acting ARB

Chairperson Barbara Riordan. " More chilling is that some people

susceptible to the ill effects of ozone will eagerly bring these

Trojan horses home. "

In a update of health research to Board members, ARB staff reported

the results from multiple studies of ozone generating machines.

These devices sold as indoor air cleaners, indoor air purifiers, and

personal air purifiers, purposely emit ozone, the major component of

smog, to clean the air. One study, conducted by the USEPA, ran an

ozone generator in a test home at its maximum setting. When the

room's air was sampled, ozone levels were found exceeding 0.3 parts

per million (ppm), and an adjacent room's levels exceeded 0.2 ppm.

This level is equal to a stage one smog alert when local air

pollution control districts advise the public to avoid some outdoor

activities. These readings far exceed the state's ambient one-hour

standard for ozone of 0.09 ppm, and any recently observed outdoor

peak levels in California. At the machine's medium setting, even

with the home's central fan turned on, ozone levels still exceeded

the state standard. These findings force the Board to recommend the

public avoid using these devices.

ARB scientists expressed concern, since some manufacturers

aggressively market these products to individuals with asthma and

other respiratory and health problems. Ozone can damage the cells

lining nasal passages and lungs making it difficult to breathe and

can exacerbate asthma symptoms. At the ozone levels noted above,

some people would experience reductions in lung function,

particularly if they engage in significant indoor activity (ie.,

housework, use of exercise equipment, children in active play), as

well as symptoms such as pain on deep breath, cough and chest

tightness. Elevated ozone levels can also damage household

materials, such as carpeting and paint, as well as react indoors to

form increased levels of formaldehyde and ultra-fine particulate

matter; with their compounding negative health effects. If a family

were to leave these machines on constantly, it would be as though

the family lived in a 24 hour/seven day a week stage-one smog alert.

With public concern about indoor air quality rising, advertising and

sales of these devices is increasing. Manufacturers often falsely

claim that these devices eliminate bacteria, mold, and chemical

contaminants from the air, and that they help persons with asthma

and allergies. Independent studies by the USEPA, the Consumers

Union, and others have shown that these devices do not effectively

destroy microbes, remove odor sources, or reduce indoor pollutants

enough to provide any health benefits. Ozone masks the odor of other

indoor pollutants by deadening the sense of smell. Although ozone is

used effectively in water to destroy microbes, ozone in air must

reach extremely hazardous levels (50-100 times the outdoor air

quality standards) to effectively kill microbes.

The ARB and a handful of other state and federal agencies have taken

actions in an attempt to address this health issue. However, no

agency has clear authority to control ozone emissions from devices,

and actions to date have not been effective in addressing this

problem. For more information on air purifiers see the ARB website

here , or for the staff presentation to the board click here.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California

Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and

protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through

effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and

considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air

pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain

health based air quality standards.