OZONE ENRICHMENT FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
MYTHS AND REALITIES

This paper was presented by

Mr. Anil Misra at Technical Seminar
organized by ASHRAE India Chapter
on April 12, 2004, Delhi

ANIL MISRA
Consultant, and Secretary
Solar Energy Society of India
E-Mail: lesolarch@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes
harmful materials in the air. They range from
dusts to chemicals to radon. The strategies
generally used to reduce indoor air pollutants
are source control, ventilation, and air cleaning.
Air cleaning may achieve an additional
reduction in the levels of certain pollutants when
source control and ventilation do not result in
acceptable pollutant concentrations. However,
air cleaning alone cannot be expected to
adequately remove all of the pollutants present in
the typical indoor air environment.

Many air-conditioning systems are

designed for very little or almost no
provision for ventilation as fresh air
ventilation
means
more
energy
requirement (and thus higher costs).
Inadequate ventilation coupled with
recirculation
Indoor Air P ollutants
of stale air
Indoor Air Quality Affecting Factors
Air Cleaners
result
in
Environmental Control
Strategies for Indoor Environment
poor Indoor
Control
Ozone Enrichment for Environmental
Air Quality
Control
Federal Agencies views on Ozone
(IAQ) due
generators adverse effects on human
health
to build up
Other Applicati ons of Ozone
of
the
pollutants, causing the phenomenon of
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). It is
described as the presence of acute nonspecific symptoms in a majority of
people caused by working in buildings
with an adverse indoor environment.
The complex symptoms include irritation
of the eyes, blocked nose and throat,
headaches, dizziness, wheezing, sinus,
congestion, dry skin rash, and nausea.

Air cleaners are devices that attempt to remove

such pollutants from the indoor air you breathe.
Some manufacturers of the ozone generators are
claiming ozone as air cleaning agent. However,
many federal agencies in the US and other
countries are warning people about the use of
ozone generators for air cleaning as ozone
adversely affects the human health.

1.0

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing concern about the

indoor air pollution as more and more
people report symptoms or specific
diseases
in
air-conditioned
and
mechanically ventilated buildings. A
growing body of scientific evidence has
indicated that the air within homes and
other buildings can be more seriously
polluted than the outdoor air in even the
largest and most industrialized cities.
Since people spend approximately ninety
percent of their time indoors, the risks to
health may be greater for many people
due to exposure to air pollution indoors
than outdoors. In addition, people who
may be exposed to indoor air pollutants
for the longest periods of time are often
those most susceptible to the effects of
indoor air pollution. Such groups include
the young, the elderly, and the
chronically ill, especially those suffering
from respiratory or cardiovascular
disease.

Any sources that actually release

particles or
Indoor Air Pollution in
gases into
mechanically ventilated buildings
the air, or
result in:
have
the
Sinus
Irritation of
the e yes
Congestion
potential to
Blocked nose
Dry Skin Rash
and throat
do so, are
Nausea
Headaches
primary
Dizziness
causes
of
indoor air
quality (IAQ) problems. Examples are
combustion sources such as oil, gas,
kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco
products; building materials and
furnishings as diverse as deteriorated,
asbestos-containing insulation, wet or
damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture
made of certain pressed wood products;
products for household cleaning and
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maintenance, personal care, or hobbies;

central heating and cooling systems and
humidification devices; and outdoor
sources such as radon, pesticides, and
outdoor air pollution. These particles or
gases could be released either outside the
building and be drawn into the building
and be dispersed through air handling
systems, or they could be generated
within the building and be dispersed by
air circulation patterns within the
facility.
2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL: NEED FOR GOOD
IAQ
Indoor air pollutants are unwanted
materials in the air, which are harmful
for human
health. The
Indoor Air Pollutants of our concern
can be divided into three groups :
pollutants
PARTICLES
of
our
concern can
GASEOUS POLLUTANTS
be divided
RADON AND ITS PROGENY
into three
groups:
particles, gaseous pollutants, and radon
and its progeny.
Particles
Particles are very small solid or liquid
substances that are light enough to float
suspended
in air (e.g.,
mists, dust,
or pollen).
They
are
composed
of diverse
materials
including
inorganic and organic compounds and
dormant and living organisms. Of
primary concern from a health
standpoint are: 1) small, invisible
respirable-size particles, with a higher
probability of penetrating deep into the
lungs, where they may stay a long time
and may cause acute or chronic effects,
and 2) larger particles, such as some
molds, pollen, animal dander, and house
dust allergens, which do not penetrate as
deeply, but may cause an allergic
response.
l

Respirable-size particles include, but are

not limited to, those from cigarette
smoke; unvented combustion appliances
such as gas stoves and kerosene heaters;
viruses, bacteria, and some molds; and
fragments of materials which, when
whole, would be considered larger than
respirable size particles. Health effects
from exposure to respirable-size particles
in the air depend on the types and
concentrations of particles present, the
frequency and duration of exposure, and
individual sensitivity. Health effects can
range from irritation of the eyes and/or
respiratory tissues to more serious
effects, such as cancer and decreased
lung function. Biological particles, such
as animal and insect allergens, viruses,
bacteria, and molds, can cause allergic
reactions, infectious diseases, and/or can
produce toxic products, which may be
released into the air.

Gaseous pollutants

Gaseous pollutants include combustion

gases and organic chemicals, which are
not associated with particles. Hundreds
of different
gaseous
GASEOUS POLLUTANTS
pollutants
have been
detected in
indoor air.
Sources of
combustion
gases (such
as carbon monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide) include combustion appliances,
cigarette smoking, and the infiltration of
vehicle exhaust gases from attached
garages or the outdoors.
Gaseous organic compounds may enter
the air from sources such as cigarette
smoking, building materials and
furnishings, and the use of products such
as paints, adhesives, dyes, solvents,
caulks, cleaners, deodorizers, personal
hygiene products, waxes, hobby and
craft materials, and pesticides. In
addition, organic compounds may
originate outdoors or through cooking of
foods and human, plant, and animal

PARTICLES

Small, invisible respirable-size particles,

with a hi gher probab ility of pen etrating
deep into the lungs, where they may stay
a long time a nd may cuase acute or
chroni c effects
l Larger particles, such as som e molds,
pollen, anima l dan der, house dust
allergens, which do n ot penetr ate as
deeply, but may cause an allergic
response
Health effects can range from ir ritation of the
eyes and/or respiratory tissues to more serious
effects, such as cancer and decreased lung
function
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Combustion gases
l Carbon Mo noxide
l Nitrogen Dioxide
l Cigarette smoke
l Outdoor In filtered vehicle exhaust gas
l Organic Chemicals
l Paints, Dyes
l Adhesives, Solvents
l Caulks, Cleaners, Deodorizers
l Personal hygiene products, Pesticides
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metabolic processes.
Health effects from exposure to gaseous
pollutants in the air may vary widely
depending
on
the
types
and
concentrations of the chemicals present,
the frequency and duration of exposure,
and individual sensitivity. Adverse
effects may include irritation of the eyes
and/or respiratory tissues; allergic
reactions; effects on the respiratory,
liver,
immune,
cardiovascular,
reproductive, and/or nervous system; and
cancer.
Radon
Radon and its progeny are radioactive
pollutants, which originate from natural
sources such as rock, soil, groundwater,
natural gas, and mineral building
materials. These pollutants have the
potential to
RADON
cause lung
Radioactive Pollutants, which
originate from natural sources:
cancer
in
Rock
Soil
humans.
Groundwater
Natural Gas
The risk of
Mineral Building material
lung cancer
Radon progeny may deposit in the lungs
and represent the main h ealth hazard
increases
from the radon series.
with
the
level in the air and the frequency and
duration of exposure. Radon itself is a
gas, which produces short-lived progeny
in the form of particles, some of which
become attached to larger particles.
Radon progeny may deposit in the lungs
and represent the main health hazard
from the radon series.
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3.0 STRATEGIES FOR INDOOR

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
There are three strategies (in order of
effectiveness) for reducing pollutants in
indoor air.
1. Source control: Source control
eliminates
individual sources
of
pollutants or reduces their emissions, and
is generally the most effective strategy.
Some sources, like those that contain
asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed;
others, like combustion appliances, can
be adjusted to decrease the amount of

emissions. Unfortunately,
pollutant
sources
can
be
identified
and
practically
eliminated
or reduced.

not

all

Three strategies (in order of effectiveness) for

reducing poll utants in indoor air :
lSource Control
lEliminates individual sources of
pollutant s or reduces their emissions.
lVentilation
lBrings outside air indoors.
lAir Cleaning
lWith devices that attempt to remove
such pollutants from the indoor air you
breathe.
lSolar Detoxification

2. Ventilation: Ventilation brings

outside air indoors. It can be achieved by
opening windows and doors, by turning
on local bathroom or kitchen exhaust
fans, or, in some situations, by the use of
mechanical ventilation systems, with or
without heat recovery ventilators (air-toair heat exchangers). However, there are
practical limits to the extent ventilation
can be used to reduce airborne
pollutants. Costs for heating or cooling
incoming air can be significant, and
outdoor air itself may contain
undesirable levels of contaminants.
3. Air cleaning: Air cleaning may serve
as an adjunct to source control and
ventilation. However, the use of air
cleaning devices alone cannot assure
adequate air quality, particularly where
significant sources are present and
ventilation is inadequate.
Air cleaners are devices that attempt to
remove such pollutants from the indoor
air you breathe. Basic filtering system
may sometimes be upgraded by using
another filter to trap additional pollutants
or by adding additional air-cleaning
devices. An alternative to upgrading the
induct air cleaning system is using
individual room, portable air cleaners.
Air cleaners generally rely on filtration,
or the attraction of charged particles to
the air-cleaning device itself or to
surfaces within the home, for the
removal of pollutants.
4.
Ozone
enrichment:
Ozone
enrichment of air can be accomplished
by using an ozone generator for the
purpose of cleaning the air. It is claimed
that ozone reacts with the pollutants and
can therefore remove them from the air.
Ozone generators are being sold in the

market, but their use as air cleaners has

generated some discussion due to the
toxic nature of this gas.
5. Solar detoxification: Ongoing
laboratory studies have shown the
feasibility of using solar photocatalytic
process along with microbiological
techniques for the treatment of industrial
wastewater. The results show that a
combination of these techniques can
clean-up
wastewater
where
all
conventional techniques fail, especially
for removing color and reducing
chemical oxygen demand. During the
past year, research was also conducted
on photocatalytic disinfection of water
and wastewater. The results from these
studies are applicable to disinfection of
water, air, and hospital wastes. Solar
detoxification to purify water has been
already been applied in use at a few
places, and the use of this technology is
expected to grow soon. The purification
of air using solar detoxification is also
expected to move soon from laboratory
testing phase to mature commercial use.
4.0 WHAT TYPES OF AIR
CLEANERS ARE
AVAILABLE?
Air cleaners
AIR CLEANERSAIR
-- TYPES
TYPES
CLEANERS
are usually
classified
by
the
method
employed
to remove
particles of
various sizes from the air. There are
three general types of air cleaners on the
market:
Mechanical Filters
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Flat or Panel Filters

Pleated or Extended S urface Filters

Electronic Air Cleaners

Ion Generators
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Use static charges to remove particles from indoor air

Ozone Generators
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Ozone generators are being sold in the market as air

cleaning devices, which use the chemical reaction
properties of ozone

Some newer systems on the market a re refer red to as

hybr id devices, which contain two or more of the
particle removal devices

Mechanical filters
Mechanical filters may be installed in
ducts in homes with central heating
and/or air-conditioning or may be used
in portable devices, which contain a fan
to force air through the filter.
Mechanical filters used for air cleaning
are of two major types.
Flat or panel filters generally consist
either of a low packing density of coarse

glass fibers, animal hair, vegetable

fibers, or synthetic fibers often coated
with a viscous substance (e.g., oil) to act
as an adhesive for particulate material, or
slit and expanded aluminum. Simple
filters may efficiently collect large
particles, but remove only a small
percentage of respirable-size particles.
Flat filters may also be made of
"electret" media, consisting of a
permanently charged plastic film or
fiber. Particles in the air are attracted to
the charged material.
Pleated or extended surface filters
generally attain greater efficiency for
capture of respirable size particles than
flat filters. Their greater surface area
allows the use of smaller fibers and an
increase in packing density of the filter
without a large drop in airflow rate.
Electronic air cleaners
Electronic air cleaners use an electrical
field to trap charged particles. Like
mechanical filters, they may be installed
in central heating and/or air-conditioning
system ducts or may be portable units
with fans. Electronic air cleaners are
usually electrostatic precipitators or
charged-media filters. In electrostatic
precipitators, particles are collected on a
series of flat plates. In charged-media
filter devices, which are less common,
the particles are collected on the fibers in
a filter. In most electrostatic precipitators
and some charged-media filters, the
particles are deliberately ionized
(charged) before the collection process,
resulting in a higher collection
efficiency.
Ion generators
Ion generators also use static charges to
remove particles from indoor air. These
devices come in portable units only.
They act by charging the particles in a
room, so they are attracted to walls,
floors, tabletops, draperies, occupants,
etc. In some cases, these devices contain
a collector to attract the charged particles
back to the unit.
There is currently some controversy
about how effectively air cleaners

life. The third oxygen atom can detach

alleviate allergic reactions produced by
from
the
ozone
larger particles such as
WHAT IS OZONE
molecule, and re-attach
pollen,
house
dust
Ozone is a molecule composed of
to molecules of other
allergens, some molds,
three atoms of oxygen. Two atoms
of oxygen form the basic oxygen
substances,
thereby
and animal dander. The
molecule the oxygen we breathe
that is essential to life. The third
altering
their
chemical
latter two types of
oxygen atom can detach from the
ozone m olecule, and re-attach to
composition. It is this
devices mentioned above
molecules of o ther su bstances,
thereby altering their chemical
ability to react with
may produce ozone,
composition.
other substances that
either as a byproduct of
Terms such as energized oxygen or pure air
suggest that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen.
forms the basis of
use
or intentionally.
claims
by
the
Concerns about ozone
production are discussed in more depth manufacturers of ozone generators
selling as air cleaners.
in the following section.
Some newer systems on the market are
referred to as "hybrid" devices. They
contain two or more of the particle
removal devices discussed above. For
example, one or more types of
mechanical filters may be combined with
an electrostatic precipitator or an ion
generator. Some of the air cleaners
containing sorbents may also remove a
portion of the gaseous pollutants in
indoor air, and may help eliminate some
of the hazards from these pollutants, at
least on a temporary basis. However, aircleaning systems are not expected to
totally eliminate all of the hazards from
gaseous pollutants. In addition, gaseous
pollutant removal systems may have a
limited lifetime before replacement of
the sorbent is necessary.
Ozone generators
An ozone generator is a device which
produces ozone gas which reacts with
pollutants present in the air, and this
behaviour of ozone by virtue of its
chemical properties is claimed to be
cleaning the air. Ozone generators are
therefore sold sometimes in the market
as air cleaners. However, its use has
generated concerns regarding its harmful
effects on human body on exposure. The
issue is discussed below in detail.
5.0 WHAT IS OZONE? WHAT
DOES OZONE ENRICHMENT
MEAN?
Ozone is a molecule composed of three
atoms of oxygen. Two atoms of oxygen
form the basic oxygen molecule the
oxygen we breathe that is essential to

Manufacturers and vendors of ozone

devices often use misleading terms to
describe ozone. Terms such as
"energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest
that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen.
Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different
chemical and toxicological properties
from oxygen.
Is Ozone Harmful?
The same chemical properties that allow
high concentrations of ozone to react
with organic material outside the body
give it the ability to react with similar
organic material that makes up the body,
and potentially cause harmful health
consequences. When inhaled, ozone can
damage the lungs. Relatively low
amounts
IS
IS OZONE
OZONE HARMFUL ?
can cause
chest pain,
coughing,
shortness of
breath, and,
throat
irritation.
Ozone may also worsen chronic
respiratory diseases such as asthma and
compromise the ability of the body to
fight respiratory infections. People vary
widely in their susceptibility to ozone.
Healthy people, as well as those with
respiratory difficulty, can experience
breathing problems when exposed to
ozone. Exercise during exposure to
ozone causes a greater amount of ozone
to be inhaled, and increases the risk of
harmful respiratory effects. Recovery
from the harmful effects can occur
following short-term exposure to low
The same che mical p roperties that allow high
concentrations of ozone t o react with organic ma terial
outside the body give it the ability to react with s imilar
organic material that makes up the body, and
potentially c ause harmful health consequences.
Ozone is a t oxic gas with vastly different chemical and
toxicological properties f rom oxygen.

When i nhaled, ozone can damage the l ungs. R elatively

low amounts c an cause c hest p ain, coughing,
shortness of brea th, and th roat irritation.
Wh ether pure or mix ed with othe r chemicals, ozone
can be harmful to health.

levels of ozone, but health effects may

become more damaging and recovery
less certain at higher levels or from
longer exposures (US EPA, 1996a,
1996b).
Several federal agencies have established
health standards or recommendations to
limit human exposure to ozone. These
exposure limits are summarized below.
Health Effects
Potential risk of
experiencing:
Decreases in
lung functio n;
Aggravation of
asthma;
Throat irritatio n and cough;
Chest pain and shortness o f breath;
Inflammation of lung tissue; and
Higher susceptib ility to respiratory infection.

Risk Factors
Factors expected to increase risk and severity of health
effects are:
Increase in ozone air concentration;
Greater d uration of exposure or some health effects;
Activities that raise the breathing rate (e.g., exercise);
and
Certain pre-existing lung diseases (e.g., asthma).

Health Standards
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires
ozone output of indoor medical devices to be less than
0.05 ppm.
The Occupational S afety and Health Administration
(OSHA) requires that workers not be exposed to an
average concentration of more than 0.10 ppm for 8
ho urs.
The Natio nal Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) recommends an upper limit of 0.10
ppm, not to be exceeded at any time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)s
National Amb ient Air Quality Standard for ozo ne is a
maximum 8 hour average outdoor concentratio n of 0.08
ppm.

"Good Ozone" and "Bad Ozone"

The phrase
GOOD OZONE
OZONE
andand
BAD
BAD OZONE
OZONE
"good up
Good Up High Bad Nearby
high bad
nearby" has
been used
by the U.S.
Environme
ntal Protection Agency (EPA) to make
the distinction between ozone in the
l Ozone in the upper atmosphere
referred to as stratospheric ozone
helps filter out damaging ultraviolet
radiation
from
the
sun

l Ozone i n the atmosphere which is the

air we b reathe can be harmful to the
respiratory system

upper and lower atmosphere. Ozone in

the upper atmosphere referred to as
"stratospheric ozone" helps filter out
damaging ultraviolet radiation from the
sun. Though ozone in the stratosphere is
protective, ozone in the atmosphere
which is the air we breathe can be
harmful to the respiratory system.
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). These
harmful concentrations of ozone in the
atmosphere are often accompanied by
high concentrations of other pollutants,
including nitrogen dioxide, fine particles,
and hydrocarbons. Whether pure or
mixed with other chemicals, ozone can
be harmful to health.
6.0 OZONE ENRICHMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL MYTHS AND
REALITIES
Myth 1: Ozone generators are
effective in controlling Indoor Air
Pollution
Some manufacturers or vendors suggest
that ozone will render almost every
chemical contaminant harmless by
producing a
OZONE ENRICHMENT
MYTHS
MYTHS A
AND
ND REALITIES
chemical
Myth 1 :
reaction
Ozone generators are effective in
controlling Indoor Air Pollution
whose only
Reality :
by-products
Available scientific evidence shows that
at concentrations that do not exceed
are carbon
public health standards, ozone has little
potential
to
remove
indoor
air
dioxide,
contaminants.
oxygen and
water. This is misleading.
Reality
Available scientific evidence shows that
at concentrations that do not exceed
public health standards, ozone has little
potential to remove indoor air
contaminants.
First, a review of scientific research
shows that, for many of the chemicals
commonly
found
in
indoor
environments, the reaction process with

ozone may take months or years. For all

practical purposes, ozone does not react
at all with such chemicals. And contrary
to specific claims by some vendors,
ozone generators are not effective in
removing
carbon
monoxide
or
formaldehyde.
Second, for many of the chemicals with
which ozone does readily react, the
reaction can form a variety of harmful or
irritating by-products. For example, in a
laboratory experiment that mixed ozone
with chemicals from new carpet, ozone
reduced many of these chemicals,
including those, which can produce new
carpet odor. However, in the process, the
reaction produced a variety of aldehydes,
and the total concentration of organic
chemicals in the air increased rather than
decreased after the introduction of
ozone. In addition to aldehydes, ozone
may
also
increase
indoor
concentrations of formic acid, both of
which can irritate the lungs if
produced in sufficient amounts. Some
of the potential by-products produced by
ozones reactions with other chemicals
are themselves very reactive and capable
of producing irritating and corrosive byproducts. Given the complexity of the
chemical reactions that occur, additional
research is needed to more completely
understand the complex interactions of
indoor chemicals in the presence of
ozone.
Third, ozone does not remove particles
(e.g., dust and pollen) from the air,
including
the
particles that cause
Ozone
most
allergies.
can
However,
some
ozone generators are
damage
manufactured with
our
an "ion generator"
or "ionizer" in the
lungs.
same
unit.
An
ionizer is a device that disperses
negatively (and/or positively) charged
ions into the air. These ions attach to
particles in the air giving them a

negative (or positive) charge so that the

particles may attach to nearby surfaces
such as walls or furniture, or attach to
one another and settle out of the air. In
recent experiments, ionizers were found
to be less effective in removing particles
of dust, tobacco smoke, pollen or fungal
spores than either high efficiency
particle
filters
or
electrostatic
precipitators. However, it is apparent
from other experiments that the
effectiveness of particle air cleaners,
including electrostatic precipitators, ion
generators, or pleated filters varies
widely (U.S. EPA, 1995).
In an experiment designed to produce
formaldehyde
concentrations
representative of an embalming studio,
where formaldehyde is the main odor
producer, ozone showed no effect in
reducing formaldehyde concentration.
Other experiments suggest that body
odor may be masked by the smell of
ozone but is not removed by ozone.
Ozone is not considered useful for odor
removal in building ventilation systems
(ASHRAE, 1989).
Some data suggest that low levels of
ozone
may
reduce
airborne
concentrations and inhibit the growth of
some biological organisms while ozone
is present, but ozone concentrations
would have to be 5 - 10 times higher
than public health standards allow before
the ozone could decontaminate the air
sufficiently to prevent survival and
regeneration of the organisms once the
ozone is removed.
Even at high concentrations, ozone may
have
no
effect
on
biological
contaminants embedded in porous
material such as duct lining or ceiling
tiles. In other words, ozone produced by
ozone generators may inhibit the growth
of some biological agents while it is
present, but it is unlikely to fully
decontaminate
the
air
unless
concentrations are high enough to be a
health concern if people are present.

Even with high levels of ozone,

contaminants embedded in porous
material may not be affected at all.
Myth 2: Controlling Ozone Exposure
with an Ozone Generator is simple
It is claimed that generation of ozone
within indoor environment can be
mechanically controlled precisely, and
its concentration can easily be
maintained within the permissible limits.
Reality
The actual
MYTHS AND REALITIES
concentrati
Myth 2 :
on of ozone
Controlling Ozone Exposure with an
Ozone Generator is simple
produced
Reality :
by an ozone
Ozone generato rs typically provide a
control setting by which the ozone
generator
output can be adjusted, which is usually
not proportionate to the control settings.
depends on
many
factors. Concentrations will be higher if
a more powerful device or more than one
device is used, if a device is placed in a
small space rather than a large space, if
interior doors are closed rather than open
and, if the room has fewer rather than
more materials and furnishings that
adsorb or react with ozone and, provided
that outdoor concentrations of ozone are
low, if there is less rather than more
outdoor air ventilation.
The proximity of a person to the ozone
generating device can also affect ones
exposure. The concentration is highest at
the point where the ozone exits from the
device, and generally decreases as one
move further away.
Manufacturers and vendors advise users
to size the device properly to the space
or spaces in which it is used.
Unfortunately, some manufacturers
recommendations about appropriate
sizes for particular spaces have not been
sufficiently precise to guarantee that
ozone concentrations will not exceed
public health limits. Further, some
literature distributed by vendors suggests
that users err on the side of operating a
more powerful machine than would
normally be appropriate for the intended
space, the rationale being that the user
may move in the future, or may want to

use the machine in a larger space later

on. Using a more powerful machine
increases the risk of excessive ozone
exposure.
Ozone generators typically provide a
control setting by which the ozone
output can be adjusted. The ozone output
of these devices is usually not
proportional to the control setting. That
is, a setting at medium does not
necessarily generate an ozone level that
is halfway between the levels at low and
high. The relationship between the
control setting and the output varies
considerably among devices, although
most appear to elevate the ozone output
much more than one would expect as the
control setting is increased from low to
high. In experiments to date, the high
setting in some devices generated 10
times the level obtained at the medium
setting (US EPA, 1995). Unfortunately,
the ability to detect ozone by smell
varies considerably from person to
person, and ones ability to smell ozone
rapidly deteriorates in the presence of
ozone. While the smell of ozone may
indicate that the concentration is too
high, lack of odor does not guarantee
that levels are safe.
At least one manufacturer is offering
units with an ozone sensor that turns the
ozone generator on and off with the
intent
of
maintaining
ozone
concentrations in the space below health
standards. The effectiveness and
reliability of these sensors are currently
been evaluated, and it would take some
tome before the findings of the research
are available.
Myth 3: Ozone is accepted as an
Indoor Air Quality pollutant remover
Some vendors suggest that these devices
have been approved by the federal
government for use in occupied spaces.
Reality
To the contrary, NO agency of the
federal government has approved these
devices for use in occupied spaces.
Because of these claims, and because
ozone can cause health problems at high

concentrations,
several
federal
government agencies are working to
inform public about the risks associated
with the use of ozone as air cleaning
agent. EPA has come out with a detailed
document on this
matter
being
MYTH 3
widely circulated
Ozone
among public, and
Generators
forms the basis of
approved
this paper too.
by authorities
Many
other reality no agency
approval.
organizations have
Agencies
have
been
issuing
issue
warning
warnings about the
against use
adverse effects of
of Ozone
ozone on human
Generators.
health.
Some
examples are given below.
Health Canada, Ottawa
Advises the public not to use air cleaners
designed to intentionally generate ozone (ozone
generators) in their homes. It further advises all
owners of ozone generators to stop using them in
their homes. Owners of commercial ozone
generators are advised to either discontinue use
of have their devices tested to ensure that
recommended exposure levels for ozone are not
exceeded.
Health Canada is working with manufacturers
and distributors of air cleaners design4d to
intentionally generate ozone to voluntarily recall
any
ozone
generators
(residential or commercial)
Health
sold to consumers for
organizations
household use.
Bangkok Post, Sept 08, 2001

post
warnings

Ozonic fined for false

against
claims
Krasae
Ozone
Chanawong, PMs Office
Generators
minister and Chairman of
the consumer agency told
that the advertisement for ozonic would be
banned and the products manufacturer fined
50,000 baht for publicizing misinformation. He
said the ad incorrectly claimed the product could
combat allergies, kill bacteria and viruses and
clean formelin-tainted vegetables, seafood, and
fruits.

purchase has been tested for ozone production.

Filters and electrostatic precipitators may be
safer methods for cleaning air, and are more
effective alternatives than ozone generating
devices.
The Federal Trade Commission
It has recently taken action against some
manufacturers of ozone generating machines to
prohibit them from unsupported claims about the
ability of the machines to clean air or to provide
health-related benefits.

7.0 OTHER APPLICATIONS OF

OZONE
Ozone has been extensively used for
water purification, but ozone chemistry
in water is not the same as ozone
chemistry in air. High concentrations of
ozone in air, when people are not
present, are sometimes used to help
decontaminate an unoccupied space from
certain
chemical
or
biological
contaminants or odors (e.g., fire
restoration). However, little is known
about the chemical by-products left
behind by these processes. While high
concentrations of ozone in air may
sometimes be appropriate in these
circumstances, conditions should be
sufficiently controlled to insure that no
person or pet becomes exposed. Ozone
can adversely affect indoor plants, and
damage materials such as rubber,
electrical wire coatings, and fabrics and
artwork containing susceptible dyes and
pigments (U.S. EPA, 1996a).
8.0 CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Methods to Enhance IAQ
. . . . to reduce Indoor Air Pollution

Con trol s ource

of p ollution

Increasing
ventilation/dilution

The American Lung Association

Recommends people seeking cleaner indoor air
to avoid ozone-generating devices. It suggests
the consumers to determine whether any
electronic air cleaner they are considering for

Remove
pollutants from air

1.

Air cleaning

While pollutants commonly found

in indoor air are responsible for

many harmful effects, there is

considerable uncertainty about
what concentrations or periods of
exposure are necessary to produce
specific health problems. People
also react very differently to
exposure to indoor air pollutants.
Further research is needed to better
understand which health effects
occur after exposure to the average
pollutant concentrations found in
homes and which occur from the
higher concentrations that occur
for short periods of time.
2.

Three strategies (in order of

effectiveness) that may be used to
reduce indoor air pollutants are
source control, ventilation, and air
cleaning. Air cleaning may achieve
an additional reduction in the
levels of certain pollutants when
source control and ventilation do
not result in acceptable pollutant
concentrations.
However,
air
cleaning alone cannot be expected
to adequately remove all of the
pollutants present in the typical

4.

5.

Source Control Methods

Ma intain humidity levels

between 30 to 40% to
retard growth of m old,
m ilde w, fungus etc.

S eal particle board,

plywood etc., which emit
formald ehy de, with varnish
to reduce em iss ion.

Use cleaning agents,

solven ts, paints carefully.
Although, source control is the m ost effective way of dealing with
Indo or Air Quality (IAQ) probl em, it is often impr actical, expensive
and somet ime s impo ssible.

indoor air environment.

3.

For most indoor air quality

problems in the home, source
control is the most effective
solution.
6.
Air C leaning

Air filters

Air cleaners

Not a substitute for fresh outside air

Do not revitalize the air
Cannot rid indoor air of particulate contaminants
Have no effect on concentration of pollutants like
formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and other gases

7.

Air cleaners are usually classified

by the method employed for
removing particles of various sizes
from the air. There are three
general types of air cleaners on the
market:
mechanical
filters,
electronic air cleaners, and ion
generators. Hybrid units, using two
or more of these removal methods,
are also available. Air cleaners
may be in-duct units (installed in
the central heating and/or airconditioning system) or standalone portable units. Some of the
air cleaners containing sorbents
may also remove some of the
gaseous pollutants in indoor air.
However, no air-cleaning systems
are expected to totally eliminate all
hazards from gaseous pollutants
and these systems may have a
limited lifetime before replacement
is necessary. In addition, air
cleaning may not be effective in
reducing the risks of lung cancer
due to radon.
Ozone enrichment of indoor air is
being suggested as a method of
cleaning the air. Whether in its
pure form or mixed with other
chemicals, ozone can be harmful to
health. When inhaled, ozone can
damage the lungs. Relatively low
amounts of ozone can cause chest
pain, coughing, shortness of breath
and, throat irritation. It may also
worsen
chronic
respiratory
diseases such as asthma as well as
compromise the ability of the body
to fight respiratory infections.
Some studies show that ozone
concentrations produced by ozone
generators can exceed health
standards even when one follows
manufacturers instructions.
Many
factors affect
ozone
concentrations
including
the
amount of ozone produced by the
machine(s), the size of the indoor

Ventilation
Ventilation is the movement of air and its contained
pollutants to outdoors and flow of fresh air indoors.
The flow of fresh air dilutes the concentration of
pollutant indoors.
It is ideal way of keeping indoor air clean.
However, simple mechanical ventilation increases the
fresh air load on conditioning systems resulting
increase in tonnage . . . more energy cost.

space, the amount of material in

the room with which ozone reacts,
the outdoor ozone concentration,
and the amount of ventilation.
These factors make it difficult to
control the ozone concentration in
all circumstances.
8.

9.

Available
scientific
evidence
shows that, at concentrations that
do not exceed public health
standards, ozone is generally
ineffective in controlling indoor air
pollution.
The concentration of ozone would
have to greatly exceed health
standards to be effective in
removing
most
indoor
air
contaminants. In the process of
reacting with chemicals indoors,
ozone can produce other chemicals
that themselves can be irritating
and corrosive.

10. The public is advised to use proven

methods of controlling indoor air
pollution. These methods include
eliminating or controlling pollutant
sources, increasing outdoor air
ventilation, and using proven
methods of air cleaning.

11. New
technology
of
solar
detoxification
for
air
purification/disinfection seems to
have some promise, but the
potential of its commercial use
would be known only after the
technology has moved to the
market from laboratory.

REFERENCES
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). 1989.
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals. Atlanta. p.
12.5.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US
EPA). 1995. Ozone Generators in Indoor Air
Settings. Report prepared for the Office of
Research and Development by Raymond Steiber.
National
Risk
Management
Research
Laboratory. U.S. EPA. Research Triangle Park.
EPA-600/R-95-154.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US
EPA). 1996. Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and
Related Photochemical Oxidants. Research
Triangle Park, NC: National Center for
Environmental Assessment-RTP Office; report
nos. EPA/600/P-93/004aF-cF, 3v.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US
EPA). 1996. Review of National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for Ozone: Assessment of
Scientific and Technical Information. OAQPS
Staff Paper. Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards. Research Triangle Park. NC. EPA452/R-96-007.