vendredi 27 février 2015

What To Know Before Buying An Ozonizer Air Purifier

By Olivia Cross


No one actually wants to spend time in a space that is consistently plagued by stale cigarette smoke, an overabundance of seasonal pollen, or small, irritating particles of pet dander. Machines designed to purify air have been sold for decades, and some models now include technology that attacks indoor air pollution differently. Before buying an ozonizer air purifier, it is important to know how one really works.

Most consumers use these products to get rid of invasive air pollutants, or to provide a buffer against asthma or respiratory allergies. The older models commonly contain fans that suck in pollutants, trapping them in filters that must be replaced periodically. Models employing the newer technology use a radically different approach by creating a host of negatively charged ions that naturally attract and collect dust particles.

Most have very few or no moving parts, and produce no constant noise. Air is not driven by fans, and there is no breeze nearby. Most use a minimal amount of electrical power, and are physically unobtrusive. They function by applying a measured current to special metal structures inside, which temporarily changes the charge of the associated electrons.

The negatively charged electrons are called ions. They react like a small inflated plastic balloon that has been rubbed, generating an electrical charge that causes nearby hair or other very light objects to be attracted. Air pollutants simply fall onto nearby surfaces, where they can be vacuumed away. Ions are natural, and common near the ocean or around mountain waterfalls.

Advocates of this system are well aware that one of the primary results of using this method is a marked increase in nearby levels of ozone, claiming that higher levels can benefit health in multiple ways. Ozone occurs naturally in the air when it reacts to sunlight, and it is almost always present. It is the catalyst for that refreshing smell that lingers after a thunderstorm.

There is, however, a downside. As anyone who lives in a congested urban area has probably experienced, ozone is a well-known pollutant and lung irritant. While it may produce benefits when amounts are temporarily increased by natural processes, at artificially higher levels it makes breathing more difficult. Homes with more than one ozone-producing machine may actually be creating more health problems than they solve.

Sales of these devices are banned in at least one state. Manufacturers emphasize the fact there there are many additional benefits for users, such as inhibiting the growth of fungi or mold, or killing microorganisms in a sealed room. While some claims are controversial, these machines remove ambient odors efficiently, and do not simply mask them. In most instances there are no health consequences.

Some newer models incorporate both ionizing ozone production with traditional filter and fan designs. The machines are generally reliable, and often last for many years with minimal attention. Because there are persuasive arguments both for and against their use, there is no right or wrong decision regarding purchase. Buyers should consider whether higher indoor ozone levels will be personally beneficial.




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