The Pros and Cons of Ozone for Home Air Purification

23 Dec.,2024

 

The Pros and Cons of Ozone for Home Air Purification

In my obsession to bring cleaner air to homeowners, we are continually looking for solutions that promise cleaner air and a safe place for your family. One method that has made its way into the air quality conversation is ozone air purification. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the nitty-gritty of ozone, weighing its benefits against its possible challenges, so you can make an informed decision for your indoor air at home.

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Clearing the Air: Understanding Ozone

Ozone might seem like a futuristic buzzword, but it's far from new. Ozone occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere, where it plays a crucial role in absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In indoor air purification, ozone is harnessed for its powerful ability to sanitize and deodorize.

An ozone molecule (O3) is a trio of oxygen atoms, unlike the typical O2 molecule most humans breathe. The third atom can detach and re-attach, offering a powerful oxidizing effect that targets airborne and surface-bound pollutants. It's this reactive nature that carries the conversations about its safety.

The Breath of Fresh Air: Benefits of Ozone Air Purification

Combatting Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution can be up to five times worse than outdoor air, with common allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microbial contaminants rendering the air within our homes potentially harmful. Ozone purifiers offer a proactive solution by neutralizing these particles, which could otherwise deteriorate the air quality.

Eliminating Noxious Odors

Ozone doesn't merely mask odors; it attacks the molecules that cause them. Have a persistent 'pet smell' in your living space? A high-output ozone generator might be the weapon of choice. It targets odor particles at their source, leaving behind fresh, clean air.

Disinfecting Your Dwelling

If there's ever been a time when understanding sanitation is critical, it's now. Ozone purifiers are capable of removing bacteria, viruses, and molds, offering a level of appliance-assisted sterilization that could significantly reduce the risk of sickness.

Allergy Alleviation

For those prone to allergies, especially those caused by airborne pollutants, ozone may provide some relief. By breaking down allergenic compounds, ozone can reduce the presence of triggering agents in your home's air, lowering the risks of allergic reactions.

The Ozone Odessey: A Closer Look at the Risks

Health Hazards

Despite its sanitizing powers, the health risks associated with ozone are significant. Ozone generators work by emitting ozone into the air, which can react with lung tissue if inhaled at high concentrations, resulting in breathing difficulties, throat irritation, coughing, and could worsen pre-existing conditions such as asthma.

Not Allergen-Friendly

In a strange turn of events, while ozone can reduce the presence of allergens such as pet dander or pollen, it can also worsen allergy symptoms due to its effects on our respiratory system. This demands for cautious consideration, particularly for those with respiratory ailments.

Environmental Concerns

One of the critical roles of the ozone layer in the atmosphere is to protect life on Earth by filtering out UV radiation. Man-made emissions of ozone-depleting substances have caused significant damage, resulting in the formation of the "ozone hole." While indoor ozone purifiers do not contribute to this issue directly, the larger context of ozone's environmental impact is a reminder of the need for ozone for planet Earth.

Safety First: Using Ozone Generators Judiciously

Ozone generators can pack a potent punch, and thus, must be used with care. Here's the lowdown on safe usage:

Understand Concentration and Duration

When deploying an ozone generator, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the concentration of ozone emitted and the duration of operation. Overexposure can be detrimental, so don't give in to the temptation of "more is better."

Empty Spaces are Safe Spaces

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Always operate ozone generators in empty rooms. This prevents the potential damage of sensitive materials and ensures that no one accidentally breathes in concentrated ozone.

Ventilation, Ventilation, Ventilation

After using an ozone generator, ventilate the area thoroughly. Open windows, turn on fans and give the ozone ample time to dissipate. Breathing ozone should be an exception, not a habit.

The Verdict: Is Ozone Right for You?

In the quest for home air purification, ozone emerges as a character with great potential, laden with power to tamp down pollutants and odors. And yet, this potential is etched against a backdrop of caution&#;health concerns loom large, as do the questions regarding ozone's environmental footprint.

For homeowners, the choice is personal and circumspect. Ozone purifiers represent a valuable tool but use them wisely. Better yet, consider alternatives that balance safety, such as ION cleaners and air scrubbers that only treat the air in the duct system and have proper ventilation. The air you breathe in your own home is critical, and any measures implemented to enhance it should be weighed carefully.

The modern homeowner finds themselves equipped a multitude of options when it comes to air treatment. Ozone is but one in a long line of defenders, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

The Science of Ozone

Ozone Science

What is Ozone?

Ozone is often referred to as nature's own purifier. It is evident at the seashore, in rain forests and after thunderstorms. We are all thoroughly aware of the protection the ozone layer affords us. Ozone also referred to as activated oxygen or trivalent oxygen is created naturally in our environment either through electricity, photosynthesis or by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It makes up approximately 20% of the air we breathe everyday. Ozone is created when one of these forces cause Oxygen to split into two separate atoms. The freed atom then attaches itself to a O2 molecule, recombining to create Ozone. The word "Ozone" is derived from the Greek word "ozien" which means, "to smell". In high levels ozone is bluish in color, which is why the sky is blue. Ozone was discovered in the late 's and is classified as the second strongest oxidizer in the world. In has been used over the last century to purify water and eliminate a wide range of odors in as a wide range of applications. In the most effective types of product the ozone is generated by high-voltage corona discharge duplicating the way lightning creates it.

How Does Ozone Work To Eliminate Odors?

As ozone is created it floats freely in the air and water. By nature it is an unstable molecule and has a half-life of approximately 20 minutes. Shortly after ozone is created it begins to break back down. It will cast off the first ozone atom, which will recombine with either another oxygen atom, reverting back to simple Oxygen (O2), or it will recombine with another gaseous element forming an inert gas losing all of its odor characteristics. Picture a room full of smoke; it is the phenol gas that is released that is the basis of the odor. It is in the air and on the surface of all areas exposed to the smoke. When introduced to that environment, the ozone quickly breaks down as it combines with the phenol gas molecule destroying all odor characteristics.

What are the Benefits of Using Ozone?

Ozone is very effective in eliminating odors including tobacco smoke, human and pet odors, food odors, mold and mildew odors, garbage odors, renovation odors and much more. It is not a re-odorant. It totally destroys the offending gases that are the source of everything we smell. Unlike many other deodorizing methods, ozone actually searches out and destroys the problem gases. It will react with contaminants in the air, water, fabrics and on other surface of the walls and ceilings. Unlike other types of air purification systems, an ozone generator does not depend on the air passing through the machine to do its job. Ozone generators also produce large quantities of ions via the corona discharge. The ions cause the dust particles to agglomerate, and precipitate from the air leaving a cleaner environment.




Susan Duffy, President of Queenaire Technologies, briefly discusses the differences between Ozone and Hydroxyl Technology.  Hydroxyl Generators are safe to use in occupied spaces whereas Ozone Generators are safe to operate in unoccupied spaces.

 




What Is A Hydroxyl Radical? The hydroxyl radical, &#;OH, is the neutral form of the hydroxide ion (OH&#;). Hydroxyl radicals are diatomic molecules that are highly reactive and very short-lived with an average half-life of less than two seconds. The hydroxyl radical which was first discovered by scientists in is often referred to as the &#;detergent&#; of the troposphere, or the lowest part of the atmosphere, because it reacts with many pollutants and helps destroy them. It also has an important role in eliminating some greenhouse gases like methane and ozone.

Technology Behind Radicals. All hydroxyl generators currently used in the restoration industry incorporate some form of UV light in their process. UV light has three major spectrums: A, B and C. UVA is in the 315nm to 400nm wavelength and is what is commonly referred to as a &#;black light,&#; which makes white things glow and is considered safe for vision and skin contact. UVA lamps do not produce ozone. UVB is in the 280nm to 315nm wavelength. These are the lights in tanning salons. UVC is the 100nm to 280nm wavelength. These lamps are &#;germicidal&#; and can damage your eyes and skin. UVC lamps in the 185nm spectrum produce large amounts of ozone.

Some manufacturers use UVC lamps in the 185nm to 254nm wavelength with no catalyst whatsoever and claim to make hydroxyls. These units are nothing more that ultraviolet ozone generators and should be avoided. Other manufacturers use the same UVC 185nm to 254nm wavelength UV lamps but also incorporate reactive metals like titanium as a catalyst to create hydroxyls. These machines would probably make more hydroxyls then the first process described above but they also produce ozone and should be considered for use in unoccupied areas only. The third technology which was developed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) utilizes UVC light in the 254nm wavelength to excite nano-sized particles of Titanium Dioxide to generate hydroxyl radicals.

This process has been deemed safe by NASA (it has been used in the space station) and also certified by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a Type 2 Medical Device that is approved for use in hospitals, including neonatal and baby wards.

 

Below are links to some the products nursing homes, hospitals, hotels and apartments have used for the last three decades to eliminate a wide range of odors.

The Newaire Plugin is designed to run continuously in rooms between 250 &#; 500 square feet to remove odors and remove air-borne particulate.

The Queenaire Thunder-24 is designed to shock an area up to sq/ft. when the area can be vacant.

The Newaire HG Hydroxyl Generator can run continuously in occupied spaces, improving the air quality and keeping the area odor free 24/7.  

Finally, the best of two deodorizing technologies is now in one unit. Amazingly compact and lightweight, the Newaire HO3- Hydroxyl and Ozone Air and Surface Treatment System features state-of-the-art Photo Catalytic Hydroxyl Technology designed to treat the air inside the unit to help eliminate odors and destroy a wide range of bacteria in areas up to sq/ft while the area is occupied. The separate Ozone option allows for deeper cleaning of the air and surfaces in unoccupied areas.

All of our products come with a full 30 day money back guaranty and warranties. For more information call us toll free 1-866-676- or click on the links above to place an order. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website professional ozone generator.