Hepa vs. Ozone Generators

Ozone Generators

A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) air purifier is a better and proven way to clean indoor air. Evaluations of household air cleaners have been published by the Consumers Report, the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former two reports give explicit warnings against ozone-generating devices. As the Consumer Reports’ authors conclude, after performing tests, they “wouldn’t recommend an ozone generator even as a last resort.”

Yes, ozone is already in the air; upper atmosphere ozone is that nice layer of gasses that protects us from skin damaging ultraviolet sun rays, but ground level ozone is really just SMOG! Who wants to buy something that makes you breathe that?

The US Federal and State Clean Air Legislation have compiled a list of health concerns associated with breathing in excessive ozone:

· Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.

· Significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.

· Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.

· Can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body’s immune system.

· Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

· Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.

· Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.

There have been arguments that using ozone-generating devices is ideal for killing off microbes, but come to find out that only works in water. In order to kill microbes in the air, ozone needs to be 3000 ppb (Parts Per Billion). The office-place is only allowed 100 ppb in an 8 hour work day, according to the FDA.

Popular ozone generators from top name manufacturers include Sharper Image and Oreck.