UC Irvine Professor Warns Consumers About Ozone Air Purifiers

Sergio Nizkorodov, a renowned professor of chemistry at the University of California, Irvine, has focused his academic career on the relationship between ozone emissions and air purifiers.

Produced naturally in the upper atmosphere, ozone plays an extremely critical role on earth by filtering out harmful UV rays that are known to cause skin cancer, as well as other serious ecological effects. In the lower atmosphere, ozone can be used to reduce airborne contaminants and to reduce indoor pollution such as mold sources and odors.

However, at the same time, scientists and doctors are questioning the safety of ozone exposure. When inhaled, ozone can cause health defects such as respiratory problems and lung functions, and it can be generated by common appliances such as laser printers, copiers, and yes, even some air purifiers.

Because of this predicament regarding ozone exposure, Professor Nizkorodov has been conducting extensive research on the connection between air purifiers and ozone levels. He has found that many air purifiers which purposefully use ozone to clean the air can generate ozone in levels above the standards set by the EPA. When used in small, enclosed spaces, these air purifiers can cause especially serious health problems in the elderly and children. In addition, Nizkorodov and his research team have found that ultrafine particles are generated by these air purifiers as a result of chemical reactions between the ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor settings.

In addition to his research, Professor Nizkorodov has also participated in UC Irvine’s Community Day and showed how the ozone levels produced by an ozone air purifier inside a chamber was high enough to be considered a first stage air quality alert. Professor Nizkorodov has also rallied with consumers against Sharper Image’s debacle with their Ionic Breeze air purifier, and has prompted many concerned citizens to urge their legislators to ban the sale of these air purifiers.

While most air purifiers on the market are extremely safe, consumers should take caution when purchasing an air purifier which exclusively uses ozone to clean the air.

California to Ban Ozone Air Purifiers

Last week, the California Air Resources Board, the "clean air agency" of the state of California, agreed to ban the sale of all ozone air purifiers by 2009. By citing studies that show prolonged exposure to ozone can cause asthma attacks, permanent lung damage, and other respiratory illness, the CARB recommend that ozone air cleaners not be used in the home.

Although ozone is a natural air cleaner in the upper atmosphere, safe levels of ground-level ozone have never been identified. In addition, according to research conducted by the Board, roughly 2% of all California households have an ozone-producing air purifier, and over 500,000 people have complained of ozone exposure higher than federally allowed standards. These ozone cleaners can come in the form of air purifiers that emit ozone-rich gaseous plasma or personal breathing devices that are worn around the neck.

While proponents of ozone air purifiers claim ozone can improve the health of asthmatics, the elderly, and even depressed pets, the CARB claim dozens of peer review studies have shown the detrimental side effects of ozone exposure. A toxicologist at the University of California, Irvine, Michael Kleinman states, "Ozone is a toxic contaminant, and does cause significant adverse health effects."

Set to be in effect in 2009, the ban will include any air cleaners which emit even a miniscule amount of ozone. However, commercial use of ozone air purifiers will be exempt from this ban. For those who are concerned with indoor air quality, HEPA air purifiers like those used in hospitals (which can oftentimes be cheaper and more effective than ozone) will have to suffice.

In response to the new ban, Debra Perkins, an EcoQuest (a manufacturer of ozone air purifiers) salesperson and consumer, said in between tears, "God gave humans these air purifiers, and you should not take away that gift."

Too Much Ozone is not a Good Thing

Although many manufacturers are now producing air purifiers that emit ozone, this may be more of a cost saving feature than quality addition. Read below what the EPA has to say regarding ozone air purifiers.

"The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause harmful health consequences." Read More?

Looks like "old" HEPA and Carbon technology may not be outdated yet...