Air purifiers that use electrostatic ionizers and precipitators are other types of devices that emit ozone, but they do so as a by-product of their design and function. These devices are designed to electrically charge particles in the air and cause them to adhere to surfaces in the room, such as walls or floors. Ozone, a lung irritant, is produced indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air filters and directly by ozone generators. While the indirect production of ozone is a cause for concern, the direct and intentional introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air is of even greater concern.
Despite what some marketers claim, there is no difference between the ozone present in outdoor smog and the ozone produced by these devices. Under certain conditions of use, ion generators and other air filters that generate ozone can produce levels of this lung irritant well above levels considered harmful to human health. A small percentage of air purifiers that claim to have health benefits may be regulated by the FDA as medical devices. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices.
While ozone can be used to reduce odors and pollutants in unoccupied spaces (for example, to remove the smell of smoke from homes affected by fire), the levels needed to achieve this are above what is generally considered safe for humans. Air purifiers equipped with specialized filters permanently remove odors and pollutants from indoor air by trapping them when air flows through the filters. We conducted a study on air purifiers to eliminate viruses and bacteria and classified them based on their ability to remove them from the air. If you are looking for a device that will permanently remove pollutants from your home air without negative side effects, HEPA and activated carbon, zeolite or metal oxide filters are the most popular choices.
Skye portable air purifiers have many features that help them outperform air ionizers that emit ozone. Plant-based negative-ion air ionizers are being developed that operate under pulsed electric field (PEF) conditions and produce millions of ions per cubic meter. It is essential to understand how an air purifier works before making a purchase decision. It is also important to consider whether an air ionizer, which produces ozone as a by-product of its design and function, is suitable for long-term exposure in your home or office environment.
Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are generally considered safe for long-term use as they do not produce any harmful by-products. When it comes to understanding whether an air purifier with an ionizer produces ozone, it is important to consider the type of device being used. Air purifiers that use electrostatic ionizers and precipitators are known to emit ozone as a by-product of their design and function. While the indirect production of ozone is a cause for concern, the direct and intentional introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air is even more concerning. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices. However, it is important to note that even if an air purifier meets this standard, it may still produce levels of ozone that are higher than what is considered safe for humans. Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are generally considered safe for long-term use as they do not produce any harmful by-products.
These devices trap pollutants when air flows through the filters, permanently removing odors and pollutants from indoor air. On the other hand, through electrical charging, air ionizers temporarily deposit some air pollutants on surfaces. In contrast, air ionizers (also called ionic air purifiers, ion generators, or simply ionizers) don't trap anything. Some air purifiers with ionizer are designed with this technology and are often differentiated by advertising that they do not have to work with collector plates. As air flows over the precipitation plates due to an ionic wind moving in one direction, air pollutants are charged and deposited on the plates. It is important to compare an air ionizer with a typical HEPA filter on the market before making a purchase decision.
They found that these ionic air purifiers largely lacked the volume of air cleaning, a natural conclusion given that they are often manufactured as fanless devices. In conclusion, it is essential to understand how an air purifier works before making a purchase decision. Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are generally considered safe for long-term use as they do not produce any harmful by-products.
