Some devices that are advertised as air purifiers purposely emit large amounts of ozone, the main component of smog. CARB recommends that ozone generators not be used, except for approved industrial purposes where harmful exposure to ozone is prevented. Not only are ozone generators ineffective at cleaning indoor air, but inhaling ozone poses serious health risks for humans and animals. This fact sheet discusses these health risks and provides effective, alternative solutions to address indoor air quality problems.
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Indoor "air purifiers" or air cleaners that intentionally emit ozone are often called 'ozone generators." Manufacturers sometimes inappropriately refer to ozone as 'activated oxygen,' 'super oxygenated' or 'energized oxygen,' which implies that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Because ozone reacts with some other molecules, manufacturers claim that the ozone produced by these devices can purify the air and remove airborne particles, chemicals, mold, viruses, bacteria, and odors. However, ozone is only partially effective at cleaning the air when it is used at extremely high, unsafe levels that pose a serious health risk.
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. These devices are designed to electrically charge particles in the air and cause them to attach to surfaces in the room, such as walls or floors. Ozone is released through the charging process, although these devices typically emit much less ozone than ozone generators.
Some devices are marketed with advertising claims that they will kill viruses, bacteria, mold and other biological contaminants, and remove chemical contaminants and odors. However, when ozone concentrations are below the health standards, it does not effectively remove biological contaminants. Ozone also does not remove particles (e.g. dust and pollen) from the air, including the particles responsible for most allergies. Ozone generated by air purifiers does little to remove chemical pollutants. In fact, ozone has been found to react with existing chemicals in the air to create additional toxic pollutants, most notably formaldehyde and ultrafine particles. Some consumers purchase air purifiers to eradicate odors. There is scientific evidence that ozone concentrations below the health standards are not effective in removing many odor-causing chemicals. Ozone is also known to deaden one's sense of smell. Not only does this disguise rather than eliminate odors, it can also have the dangerous effect of decreasing a person's ability to detect high ozone levels. Unlike the situation in air, ozone can be used successfully to purify water in some applications. This is because high levels of ozone can be used in the water, most of the ozone reacts in the water, and people typically are not present when the ozone is used.
Ozone generators can produce indoor ozone levels several times higher than the State's outdoor 1-hr and 8-hr health standards of 90 parts per billion (ppb) and 70 ppb respectively. Many commercial ozone generators emit more than 5,000 mg of ozone per hour of operation, which could result in unhealthy levels of ozone in indoor air.
People who buy ozone generators may not be aware that ozone can harm the cells in the lungs and respiratory airways. Exposure to ozone irritates and inflames the lining of the respiratory system. This causes symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and impaired breathing. Ozone can worsen asthma symptoms, and may contribute to the development of asthma. Elevated exposures to ozone can cause permanent lung damage, and repeated exposure can even increase the risk of dying among persons already in poor health. Persons especially vulnerable to health problems from breathing ozone include children and those who already suffer from asthma or other respiratory diseases, including the elderly. There are many experimental studies on animals, including dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs, that show respiratory effects from exposure to ozone. Birds are especially sensitive to the effects of air pollutants, including ozone.
The unfortunate answer is that misleading advertising by manufacturers is very effective, and no government agency has the authority to fully regulate these devices. Thus, CARB is actively working to educate professionals and the public about the dangers of using ozone generators.
CARB strongly advises against the use of ozone generators in spaces occupied by people or animals. Other governmental agencies agree with this advice. CARB provides a list of potentially hazardous ozone generators sold as "air purifiers", which is periodically updated. If an ozone generator is not on this list, it does not mean that it is safe for use.
Prior to purchasing an air cleaner, consumers are encouraged to eliminate or reduce indoor pollution sources and to ventilate areas with outdoor air. The most effective method of controlling indoor air pollution is through prevention: eliminating pollution at its source. To minimize the release of pollutants indoors:
Use plenty of ventilation: be sure there is adequate airflow to/from the outdoors. This can be achieved by opening windows, using exhaust fans near pollutant sources (e.g. above stoves while cooking), and increasing airflow through the use of mechanical ventilation systems. If your home is equipped with a central forced air system, you should also consider upgrading the filter to at least MERV 13.
In , CARB adopted a regulation to limit ozone emissions from indoor air cleaning devices. Over 300 manufacturers have submitted test results and obtained CARB certification of their air cleaning devices as required under our regulation. Certification is based on a device's low (usually near-zero) ozone emissions and electrical safety. The following information provides the list of CARB certified air cleaning devices and additional information on how to choose a safe and effective air cleaner.
Ozone generators are popular air-cleaning devices that have become more widely used since the COVID-19 pandemic created awareness of the need for cleaner air in occupied spaces. However, ozone has been known to have detrimental health effects on humans when exposed to specific concentrations for extended periods. Therefore, when considering ozone generators for air cleaning, realize they must be operated with great care as ozone generating electronic air cleaners can emit unsafe ozone levels.
Ozone Generators are a type of air purification system that produces Ozone (O3) to help reduce the presence of airborne contaminants. Ozone's highly reactive composition of three Oxygen atoms allows the molecules to attach to airborne organic contaminants to oxidize and eliminate them. There are both good and bad forms of ozone:
Stratospheric ozone, or 'good ozone,' is found in the atmosphere between 6 and 30 miles above the Earth's surface. The ozone layer shields us from harmful UV radiation from the sun. Ozone at the ground level, or 'bad ozone,' is an air pollutant harmful to our health. Ozone generators typically produce 'bad ozone.'
Unfortunately, no. The EPA has denounced these devices and cites several scientific studies showing they can be harmful to health and ineffective at removing indoor air contaminants. That is why no federal agencies have approved ozone generators for use in occupied spaces.
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Ozone is composed of three atoms of oxygen, hence O3. Two atoms from the oxygen we breathe; the third can detach from the ozone molecule, reattach to molecules of other substances, and change their chemical composition.
Ozone generators harness that chemical reaction by filtering oxygen (O2), then using an electrical charge to break apart oxygen molecules, encouraging them to reform as oxygen and ozone.
There are two methods used to generate ozone:
Just as ozone reacts with organic material in the air, it can react with organic material in our bodies, leading to health problems. When inhaled, ozone directly affects our lungs and respiratory system. It can cause airway hyper-responsiveness, including shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In addition, if you have a lung condition, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, ozone can exacerbate it. Potential health risks from ozone include:
Long-term ozone exposure happens when you inhale ozone for more than eight hours a day over weeks and months. This type of exposure has been linked to the risk of hospitalization for asthma and numerous respiratory-related conditions.
When it comes to ozone-generating devices, there are rules and guidelines for how much ozone can be emitted by a product and how long workers can be exposed to certain amounts. Here are some recommendations for human exposure to these devices (see the Clean Air Act):
Risk factors are largely determined by the ozone concentration, the duration of exposure, the activities during exposure, and pre-existing conditions (like asthma).
Ozone generators are often lumped in with ionizers. However, while ionizers are also air-cleaning devices, they work by electrically exciting ions in the air, encouraging them to latch onto air particles, which eventually get collected by the device.
Ionizers are known to remove pathogens and viruses, but they are not effective at eliminating odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Since many odors are VOCs, including tobacco smoke, pet smells, and mold growth, ionizers will not work if you need to remove odors or these types of particles.
There is great debate about air cleaning devices such as ozone generators and ionizers, the health effects of these devices, and whether the indirect or direct ozone output can be harmful. The EPA took this to heart, especially since there is much material' primarily produced by manufacturers'that claims ozone is not necessarily harmful to your health.
After conducting a study, the EPA came to several conclusions about ozone generators, including:
Ozone generators are not a safe choice for cleaning the air in occupied spaces or home environments. However, the device can be helpful when used in uninhabited areas for a long time, such as cleaning up natural waste. The room should be as closed off as possible for the generator to work and ventilated before the space is reoccupied.
Since ozone exposure can have harmful health effects, companies need to be careful how the devices are used. In addition, ozone generators can take months to work. Therefore, if you are looking to improve the indoor air quality of your business by running it overnight, it will be a waste of time and money.
Want to learn more about ozone generators and how they compare to competing electronic air purification technologies? Then visit our most recent blog "The Difference Between Hydroxyl Generators, Ozone Generators, And Bi-Polar Ionization."
When it comes to your inhabited workplace, ozone generators do not fall under best practices for indoor air quality. Even if manufacturers say the device does not produce ozone in hazardous amounts, do your research and try to identify how much ozone the device emits. You will also need to pay attention to the square footage the device was tested in compared to the size of your space. If a very large room is required to run the ozone generator effectively, smaller businesses may not be feasible.
Instead, opt for a multi-stage air cleaner that does not produce ozone, or if it does, it is generated indirectly and in small amounts. It would be more advantageous'and safer'to get an air purifier that can operate while people are in your building. You can also take advantage of additional filters (like HEPA filters), UV-C light technology for killing viruses, and activated carbon filters for removing VOCs. Contact us to get started with a customized plan to clean your air effectively and safely.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of ceramic ozone generator. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.