Ozone is the principal element of the ozone layer, which traps the sun’s heat and is essential to life on Earth. Ozone at ground level is unhealthy and is a component of smog. Ozone (O3) isn't stable, is heavier than air, and degrades to oxygen (which BTW is a pretty strong corrosive). Certain regulatory bodies have taken action on this issue and air purifiers that generate ozone are actually banned in some places. Ozone generator (aka ozone air purifier or o3 generator) are sold as an air cleaning device or purifier for your air that intentionally releases the gas ozone into the personal indoor environment. Further, it may cause throat irritation, chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath. High ozone levels irritate the lung and make asthma worse. Ozone, if inhaled even in small amount, can be injurious to health of lung tissues. Explore all Healthy Climate Solutions™ Keep it close to electronics – When you are using ozone, make sure to keep it a good distance away from electronics and sockets. Ground-level ozone, however, isn't our friend. Exploring the molecule known as ozone, which can both protect and harm us here on Earth. To understand the ozone layer, you need to be familiar with the atmosphere as a whole. Harmful levels of ozone can be produced by the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals emitted to the environment (e.g., automobile emissions and chemical emissions of industrial plants). Experts agree that ozone is harmful to your health. All Healthy Climate Solutions™ are designed to improve indoor air quality without releasing harmful ozone in the process. If so, Ozone generators can be used in these spaces while they are occupied, only as long the ozone concentration remains below the safe level specified by OSHA or the EPA. An ionizer is basically a negative ion generator that disperses millions of negative ions into the air. However, according to the EPA, the "oxidizing" theory is highly debatable when it comes to ozone generators. Ozone, whether pure or mixed with other chemicals, can be harmful to health. Unfortunately, most offices use older models of laser printers, which can be very harmful. The information compiled by the EPA includes the negative health effects that ozone generators have on people. Although ozone is often used to disinfect water in settings such as treatment plants, the required equipment is typically too large for use in small appliances like water coolers. Nevertheless, while high concentrations of ozone in the ozone layer are beneficial, they are harmful in the atmosphere layer as they cause respiratory problems and reduce lung function. Earth is surrounded by layers of gas with different temperatures, […] Air pollution has the ability to affect the earth’s entire ecosystem, as environmental scientists realized when they found direct links between ozone layer destruction and manmade pollutants called CFCs. Ozone itself is harmful, yes. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. An ozone generator pulls oxygen through itself, connecting an additional molecule to create an oxygen molecule with three molecules, or O 3 instead of O 2. Fortunately, it will probably all be sitting within a inch of the floor. I’d love to know the brand of O3 generator “Ozone be responsible…” uses. Ozone is great in the upper atmosphere, where it protects the Earth from harmful radiation. How can ozone affect my health? Some health experts have, therefore, suggested that individuals living in high ozone areas may be protected from any harmful effects of long-term ozone exposure. Warm, sunny days with little wind and no rainfall help to form ozone, and unhealthy levels can occur, especially in cities. We have all heard of the protective layer of the earth’s atmosphere and how it shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone is "made" by electricity (say lightning), and is present in a natural form in our biosphere so it can't be all that flammable, but I know that high concentrations of it are "toxic" or can be to the human body, but I digress. However, ozone released from an ozone generator cannot remove other compounds in the air such as dust, pet dander or other allergens. In the upper atmosphere, ozone has a beneficial effect by absorbing the harmful ultraviolet rays of sunlight. This extra atom can easily attach to other molecules, hence the idea that one can "oxidize" pollution to get rid of it. If you use an air ionizer in a small room without ventilation, ozone level can exceed the acceptable amount (which is higher than 0.1 ppm/0.2 mg/m3 a day). Methyl bromide is usually used as a fumigant in order to control pests in shipping and agriculture. Purify the air when people can inhale it – Ozone is a harmful gas when inhaled, therefore, make sure that no one is around to breathe it in when you use it to purify the air. VOCs come from car, factory, and power plant emissions. Carefully follow your asthma management plan on days when ozone levels are high. Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. Ozone is a toxic air pollutant, a strong oxidant, and the main ingredient of ground-level smog. But it also blocks many of the ultraviolet rays that is just as harmful to us, probably even more; and since the ozone layer is so high up, we only benefit from it's existence.