Ozone Air Purifier Health Risks Cause a State to Ban Home Air Cleaners

California passed a regulation that will ban ozone-producing home air purifiers for sale in the state by 2009. The California Air Resources Board says that, based on studies, these devices can actually worsen breathing conditions such as asthma instead of improve them.

The board has also determined that these air purifiers emit ozone at levels above those determined as safe by federal regulations. The types of purifiers targeted in the regulation are those that intentionally emit ozone into the air of the home. These ozone levels – caused by these specific ozone air purifiers – are equivalent to the levels of ozone in Stage 1 smog.

Although in-home ozone air purifiers will be banned from sale in the state, commercial and industrial air purifiers that emit ozone will still be permitted assuming there are no people in the vicinity of the ozone purifier.

The Manufacturers of these ozone-emitting air purifiers, such as those under the brands Living Air Purifiers, Mountain Air, Fresh Air, and EcoQuest, claim that ozone produces health benefits. According to the American Lung Association, however, ozone is dangerous and can produce lung damage, respiratory disease, and is responsible for outdoor smog when it reacts with sunlight.

Good and effective alternatives to these ozone devices are those that have HEPA filters and purifiers. These types of filters are the same as those used in hospitals. Ionizing and electrostatic precipitators can also help clear the air by trapping particles but they also produce a low amount of ozone. This low amount of ozone is permitted under the new law despite the opposition of members on the board.

The Board determined that future testing is required to determine if safe ozone levels need to be lowered even further for units inside homes. In the meantime, any individual or company selling ozone-emitting devices after the 2009 deadline could face fines of up to $100 a day. The ban will cover all sales including those through the internet and word of mouth.

For more information visit http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-me-purifier28sep28,1,4493515.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-health&ctrack=2&cset=true

Ozone Air Purifier Health Risks Cause a State to Ban Home Air Cleaners

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