We should all be aware of indoor air quality. However, products such as ozone generators create more problems than solutions when it comes to your home and indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke, fire damage, mold, and mildew are all examples of things that can damage indoor air quality, as are dangerous gases such as ozone. Keep reading to find out why ozone generators are never the solution to indoor odor.
How to ozone generators work?
Ozone generators produce electro-charged ozone that attaches to odor-causing microbes. Ozone comprises three oxygen atoms - the third can attach to molecules of other substances and, therefore, change their molecular structure, which can prevent them from giving off odors. Ozone generators penetrate carpets, walls, window treatments, light fixtures, and air ducts with ozone so that the gas will tackle hard-to-reach causes of odors.
However, according to the EPA, ozone generators are not as effective as some would have you believe. For example, "ozone generators are ineffective in removing carbon monoxide." Research has found that "some potential by-products produced by ozone’s reactions with other chemicals are very reactive and capable of producing irritating and corrosive by-products."
Ozone generators: Know the risks
Ozone is dangerous to breathe in large quantities. Federal standards for how much ozone is safe to inhale range between 0.05 ppm and 0.10 ppm. Some states, such as California, have even lower thresholds. Most ozone generators output ozone in quantities several times the recognized safety amounts. It usually takes up to 60 minutes after the generator cycle ends for the ozone to neutralize into safe oxygen.
Breathing, even minimal amounts of ozone, can be toxic. According to the EPA, "if used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants." So basically, even if ozone generators can effectively kill odor, they must produce a very dangerous ozone. Lung irritation, ozone poisoning, lung scarring, cancer, and death are all health risks associated with breathing ozone. In other words, buying an ozone generator is a really bad idea.
What can you use instead of ozone generators?
We've covered the topic of how to keep your indoor air pollution levels low extensively, and the Environmental Protection Agency has even reported that "a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities." The best air purifiers are one option to clean dust, pollen, and other particles from the air, but they're less effective at removing odors.
Poor indoor air quality can often cause or exacerbate respiratory issues, but odors and mold are often symptoms, not causes. Treating the symptoms of poor indoor air quality will only do half the work because there's no guarantee that odors will not return if the cause is left untreated. Mold, for example, is often caused by dampness, so the best dehumidifiers and the best mold test kits are needed to eliminate the risk.
Some of the best tower fans, such as the Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan, have in-built air purifiers that can clean your indoor air and keep you cool at the same time. Window air conditioners or central air conditioner units are another method of bringing fresh air into your home.
