Ozone and Negative Ion Generators

Beware the Ozone and Negative Ion Generator!

Ozone is a colorless gas that is an oxygen molecule with an extra oxygen atom.

Stratospheric ozone is known as the ozone layer and protects our health by shielding us from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. However, ground-level, ozone is a pollutant with highly toxic effects. It is a health hazard causing damage to humans, the environment, crops, and a wide range of natural and artificial materials.

Ozone that is close to the ground and in our homes can cause eye irritation; headaches; coughing; impaired lung function; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Asthmatics and children are most at risk. Ground-level ozone can also damage trees and plants. It is a very corrosive compound most commonly produced by motor vehicles and industry.

Credible sources have been very outspoken about the potential for negative side effects as a result of the usage of ozone generators and negative ion generators. Most notably, the EPA has publicly denounced ozone generators as an air purifier based on its proven ineffectiveness as well as a potential health hazard. The EPA report is here: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Don't be fooled by manufactures of negative ion generators. They all produce ozone. Even if they report the level of ozone is safe, remember that ozone is extremely toxic to humans and very corrosive to our living environments at any level. Ask yourself how much ozone do you want in your home?

The Dangers of Ozone Generators:

When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs and cause long term respiratory problems

Ozone generators have been used to decontaminate unoccupied spaces such as fire ravaged buildings, but the high concentrations necessary to be effective are far beyond that which is safe for human occupancy

Concentrations within the accepted safety levels for ozone have been proven to be ineffective at purifying air

Due to the wide variety of factors that can effect the concentration of ozone in a room, even if one follows the manufacturer's recommended instructions the resulting ozone concentrations can become 5 to 10 times higher than the public health limits

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has acted against one well know manufacture of ozone generators / ionizers: US v. Alpine Industries, Inc., et al. 1997

Other respected organizations have spoken out against these products:

American Lung Association

Environmental Protection Agency

State of California Department of Health Services

Effects of Particle Charging

Another factor with respect to ion generators, particularly those that do not trap some of the charged particles, is the effect of particle charging on deposition in the respiratory tract. Experiments have shown a linear increase in particle deposition with charge; therefore, the use of ion generators may not reduce the dose of particles to the lung. (Offermann FJ, Sextro RG, Fisk WJ, Grimsrud DT, Nazaroff WW, Nero AV, Rezvan KL, Yater J. 1985. Control of respirable particles in indoor air with portable air cleaners. Atmospheric Environment 19(11): 1761-1771.)

Ion generators are generally designed not to remove particles from the air but to deposit them on surfaces around the room. This results in soiling of walls and other surfaces, especially if the particles charged by the apparatus are not collected on a filter.

What is Your Alternative? - IQAir

IQAir® products are far more effective than any negative ion or ozone generator on the market AND with IQAir® products you have no adverse affects to your health or the environment. Even the plastics in the IQAir® products are non-gas releasing. The most common IQAir® product for homes is the HealthPro Series - the HealthPro and the HealthPro Plus give maximum filtration efficiency for your home and work environments.