There is a debate raging about the safety of ozone air purifiers. Some love the fresh smell and swear by them. Others are voicing concerns about the ozone that is a by product of the air cleaning process. Ozone is a pollutant and at high levels can cause respiratory problems. This is particularly true for people living with a condition that causes decreased lung function.
How Ozone Air Purifiers Work
These purifiers work by giving the air a positive charge as it moves through the machine. This causes the particles in the air to become charged as well. The charged contaminants are handled in one of two ways. In some systems, the air simply moves through the machine and is charged. The particles then settle on your walls, furniture and carpeting. These need to be vacuumed or dusted away.
More common is a system that contains a collection grid to trap the contaminants in the air. The Ionic Breeze is probably the best known of these systems. You have probably seen this advertised on late night television. The particles attach to a collection grid. You remove the grid and wipe away the contaminants and then replace the grid in the machine. The grid is easy to...