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Ozone Generator Facts
OZONE GENERATORS FOR KILLING MOLD
What They DON'T Tell You About Ozone Generators:
Manufacturers and vendors of ozone devices often use misleading terms to describe ozone. Terms such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. The truth is; Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen. 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. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs (see - "Ozone and Your Health" - www.epa.gov/airnow/brochure.html ).
Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and, throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. People vary widely in their susceptibility to ozone.
Healthy people, as well as those with respiratory difficulty, can experience breathing problems when exposed to ozone. Exercise during exposure to ozone causes a greater amount of ozone to be inhaled, and increases the risk of harmful respiratory effects. Recovery from the harmful effects can occur following short-term exposure to low levels of ozone, but health effects may become more damaging and recovery less certain at higher levels or from longer exposures (US EPA, 1996a, 1996b).
Frequently Ask Questions About Ozone:
What is ozone?
Ozone is a colorless gas with a noticeable odor. When inhaled, it can damage the lungs and irritate the throat. Although ozone is found and is naturally produced in the atmosphere, it is also a main part of air pollution called smog. In the upper layer of the sky, ozone is helpful in protecting us from some of the effects of the sun. However, when it exists in the lower layer, close to the earth (outdoors and in our homes), it can be harmful if we inhale it.
The use of some equipment, such as certain types of "air cleaning" devices, can cause increased levels of ozone in homes or work settings.
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What are the possible health effects of breathing ozone?
Inhaling fairly low amounts of ozone can result in signs and symptoms such as coughing, congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain in otherwise healthy people. People with already existing asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, and emphysema may find their conditions worsen while inhaling ozone. Breathing ozone may also increase the risk of getting certain lung diseases. People can recover from short-term exposure to low levels of ozone. However, breathing high levels of ozone or breathing low levels of ozone over a long period of time may have more damaging and longer-lasting effects.
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Are there other possible negative effects of ozone?
Although some manufacturers of air cleaning equipment have claimed that ozone generators can decrease volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, research has shown that such devices may, in fact, increase some types of VOCS.
If an air cleaning device produces ozone at a level that is effective in killing molds and viruses, then it is also at a level that can be harmful to human beings and pets.
( For information on VOCs, see this Google link )
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What are possible sources of ozone in my home, school or workplace?
Ozone can be released into the air from some office equipment such as laser printers and copiers, from some types of "air cleaners" such as some electric or ion generators, and from certain industrial processes such as ozone treatment of bottled water.
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What factors contribute to the amount of ozone I inhale?
If ozone is present in a home, school or workplace, there are several factors that may affect the amount of ozone that a person inhales:
- the amount and type of ventilation in the building; a tightly insulated building may allow ozone to build up to harmful levels
- whether the ozone-producing equipment is properly installed, maintained, vented and operated
- the amount of ozone that is produced
- a person's current health status and health history
- the activity level of the person exposed (exercising or deep, rapid breathing may increase the amount of ozone inhaled)
- the length of time for which the person is exposed
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Can I test my home, school or workplace for ozone?
Unless you have a likely source for ozone in the indoor setting, AND unless you have some possible signs and symptoms of ozone exposure, testing the indoor air for ozone is not likely to be helpful, informative, or needed. Rather than focusing your attention and finances on testing the air, try to improve air quality by using other fairly low cost options.
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Are there standards for ozone?
There are national standards relating to the amount of ozone that certain types of equipment or devices may produce and there are standards for workplace exposure. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established an ozone level of .05 ppm (parts per million) as the maximum level allowable in an enclosed space intended to be occupied by people for extended periods of time. This includes homes, apartments and offices. The standards for industrial settings are different and are set and enforced by other agencies such as the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
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What can I do to reduce the risk of being exposed to ozone in my home, school or workplace?
There are several steps you can take to reduce or eliminate risks from ozone.
- Consider alternatives to equipment and devices that produce ozone. Such items exist on the market. For example, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums and certain air cleaners do not produce ozone.
- Increase ventilation. In some cases, this can be done by opening the windows and doors to provide fresh air from the outside.
- Install exhaust fans for certain types of office equipment (copiers, etc.) that can produce ozone. Do not place such equipment in small closed settings like closets or supply rooms.
- Properly maintain and service office and industrial type equipment and air handling systems.
- Use cleaning products and building materials that do not contain elevated amounts of VOCs, and that are less likely to harbor bacteria, viruses, and mold.
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