Ozone is a powerful oxidant that can cause serious health issues when inhaled. It can lead to chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation, and can worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Children and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to ozone inhalation. The EPA has reported that high levels of ozone can cause decreased lung function, throat irritation, severe asthma symptoms, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, lung tissue irritation, and increased sensitivity to respiratory infections.
Other risk factors that can exacerbate the effects of ozone include engaging in activities that increase respiratory rate (such as exercising indoors), certain pre-existing lung diseases, and a longer duration of exposure. Manufacturers' claims that ozone air purifiers remove asthma triggers from the air are false. In fact, inhaling ozone can worsen asthma. The concern about ozone air purifiers is twofold: at high concentrations, ozone can damage lung tissue; at concentrations low enough to ensure safety in an occupied space, research shows that ozone cannot kill bacteria or other microorganisms or eliminate odors.
If you're looking for an air purifier that doesn't produce ozone emissions, you should look for one that complies with the UL 2998 standard. GPS markets a Neddlepoint bipolar ionizer for air conditioning applications that claims to have high levels of negative and positive ions but does not produce ozone emissions. It's essential to be aware of the dangers of ozone ionizers and take steps to protect yourself and your family from their harmful effects. Ozone is a powerful oxidant that can cause serious health problems when inhaled, so it's important to be aware of the risks associated with its use.
