What is an Ozone generator?
An ozone generator does not use any filters. These air purifiers operate by introducing the highly reactive molecule, Ozone (O3) into the air. The extra oxygen atom of the 03 molecule breaks up air borne pollutants just like the way bleaching agents are spread through the water when added to the wash water. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of these ozone air purifiers. Ozone is considered a hazardous workplace chemical by O.S.H.A. (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and is also considered an air pollutant that requires regulation by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency. Ozone may also be particularly harmful to people with asthma. It is our experience that ozone air purifiers do have their place as long as they emit small amounts of ozone with no irritating by-products such as nitric oxide.
An air cleaner that is specifically designed to intentionally produce ozone gas are called ozone generators. Ozone is a toxic triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Two of the atoms make up the basic oxygen molecule while the third atom can detach from the other two and re-attach to molecules of other substances. Due to certain health risks, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration have put in place public health standards to limit human exposure to ozone. For more information on ozone generators, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website to read their assessment on ozone generators sold as air cleaners.
