Ozone Generator FAQ

Thad Godish Ph.D
Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at Ball State University
Q. Can you explain how an ozone generator (air purifier) works? Can ionizing actually clean the air? We recently purchased such a unit. Did we do the right thing? A. The "air cleaner" that you describe is actually two different devices in one package. It consists of a component that generates ozone(O3) which is supposed to remove odor-producing chemicals as well as organic compounds such as formaldehyde and a variety of solvents. The ionizer part produces either positively or negatively-charged ions which become attached to dust particles and various building surfaces. The ionizing module is supposed to remove airborne dust particles from the air of your home.
Such devices are widely sold and are highly controversial. Legal action has been filed by several State Attorney's General with one high profile case in trial at this moment.
There are several major issues associated with such devices. The primary one is that O3 is a very toxic substance that poses health risks to those exposed. Should manufacturers be selling a device to consumers that may injure their health as well as other family members? The other major issue (associated with O3 generators) is that they are not effective in controlling contaminants as claimed.
Ozone is a potent respiratory irritant even at low concentrations (> 0.10 ppmv) if the exposure occurs over a period of hours. If an O3 generator/air purifier is limited to O3 production below the level that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires ( 0.05 ppmv), there is no way that there would be enough O3 in your home to "remove" the chemicals that the "air cleaner" is theoretically designed to do. It is impossible from a chemistry standpoint.
When O3 reacts with chemicals in air, new chemical substances are produced that are generally more toxic than those already present (the law of unintended consequences). In addition, O3 has a variety of effects on materials. It has the bleaching power of chlorine (on a molecule-to-molecule basis). As such it reacts with fabric dyes in carpeting, upholstery, etc. Ozone has been reported to turn blue carpets green! Ozone also reacts with rubber compounds and soft plastics. Those cracked rubber bands in your desk - the low O3 levels in the atmosphere. It attacks rubber/plastic gloves, rubber/plastic gaskets/ O rings, washers, vinyl materials, etc. and cracks them. Adding O3 to your house with your "air cleaner" will accelerate this process.
As you can see using an O3 generator as an "air purifier" is a horrible idea. They are a waste of consumers' money and a potential threat to the health and safety of your family (as well as a threat to your possessions). More information on O3 and O3 generators can be obtained from USEPA's website: Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners | Publications | Indoor Air | Air | US EPA
The second module in your air cleaner is an ion generator. Fortunately, it poses no health risks to you or your family. Under the best operating conditions (in a closed bedroom), they can be moderately effective in removing airborne dust particles. Such dusts will plate out on walls and other room surfaces. The air becomes somewhat cleaner; your walls somewhat dirtier

Ozone Generator - FAQ



Very interesting and something to think I have seen a lot of people suggest these on this forum.

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What about Ozium? Does that have the same health risks?