IQAir filters are the most effective home air purifiers on the market today. However, there are questions concerning the mechanism that generates ozone. Following the careful study, I discovered the following:
No, all IQAir air purifiers do not emit ozone. The cleaners are all certified by the International Association of Air Cleaner Manufacturers. In addition, all IQAir room systems are certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB), implying they met the requirements.
There are several components of the IQAir air purifier that we will cover in further detail in this piece. Moreover, we’ll consider other aspects relevant to this topic. Thus, we strongly recommend reading the article in full.
What You Should Know Before Purchasing An Ozone Air Purifier
When you hear the word ozone, you’re probably thinking of the layer of air above us that helps filter out the sun’s UV light. However, it’s a molecule employed in some air purifiers because it effectively removes strong scents and airborne pollutants. Before you purchase an ozone air purifier, you should be aware of the potentially harmful impacts on your health.
Which Filters Are Capable of Removing Ozone?
Since ozone is a gas rather than a particle, it isn’t removed by most popular air purifiers. Therefore, HEPA filters or any other mechanical filters do not affect ozone levels.
Furthermore, UV-C filters, ionizers, and ozone generators don’t eliminate ozone. Instead, they generate it as a byproduct.
Nonetheless, activated carbon can be used to remove ozone from the air due to its potentially hazardous characteristics. It’s because of the third oxygen atom that the ozone is so reactive. Additionally, the ozone molecule tends to “break off” and leave only O2 in the atmosphere.
Activated carbon filters include many molecular sites on which ozone molecules can adhere. A study found that filters with carbon stages removed 60-70% more ozone from the air than filters without carbon. Though additional research is necessary, these findings appear encouraging.
Certain proprietary products are particularly formulated to remove ozone. For example, Burnett Process filters employ activated carbon to eliminate ozone and other pollutants, whereas Purafilter filters use activated carbon plus sodium permanganate. As a result, they are often deployed in large facilities and public buildings’ HVAC systems.
PECO air purifiers utilize a photocatalytic process, degrading and converting ozone back to oxygen during the process. Additionally, ozone can be removed from the air without using a motorized air cleaner.
Passive filtering, which utilizes ozone-neutralizing building components, can significantly reduce ozone levels over time. According to a 2012 study, “activated carbon mats and perlite-based ceiling tiles have the potential to provide significant, long-lasting ozone management.”
Ozone Improves The Smell Of The Air – But Is It Safe?
Ozone is an oxygen molecule made of three oxygen atoms. It’s a highly reactive chemical that reacts with anything it comes into contact with. As a result, it effectively removes odors and destroys mold and mildew by reacting with and degrading anything it comes in contact with.
Regrettably, the same property that makes ozone so good at eliminating odors makes it harmful. If it’s present in sufficient proportions to mask offensive odors, it will also react with your skin, eyes, and other exposed areas, causing injury. So even though it has a lovely odor, it can cause long-term damage to your respiratory system.
What Are The Consequences Of Exposure To Ozone?
When inhaled, ozone reacts with chemicals in the body, causing damage to the lungs. It can cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and throat irritation even at a detectable amount. In addition, ozone can irritate and damage the airway and increase the susceptibility of the lungs to infection.
It has even been shown to exacerbate asthma attacks and aggravate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Of course, everyone is in danger, but those with asthma or certain vitamin deficiencies, youngsters, or the elderly are more likely at risk. Ultimately, ozone is more harmful to your respiratory system the longer you expose yourself to it.
Tips For Reducing Ozone Buildup In Your Home
How you deal with ozone in your home is determined by the ozone source and whether it exits the residence. Unfortunately, if you reside in a location with significant levels of air pollution, there is little you can do to control the ozone’s external source.
The best course of action may be to close the windows, particularly on bright, sunny days with little or no wind. Using an air purifier that can remove ozone from your home via a carbon filter or PECO technology may help reduce indoor ozone levels.
If a gadget in your home generates the ozone, you have more removal alternatives. To begin, you might cease using the gadget that generates the ozone. If you must use Ozone producing device, do so only when no one else is present in the room and about 30 minutes before returning.
Since ozone is so reactive, it will eventually degrade into ordinary oxygen even if no air cleaner is used. Finally, open the windows—fresh air from the outside can quickly dilute the ozone levels in your home.
Ozone can be a big issue, particularly because it can induce respiratory system damage. It’s even more of a problem if someone in your household has an allergy. Unfortunately, industrial pollution accounts for most lower atmospheric ozone, leaving you with the only option of removing it from your home.
What Should I Look for When Purchasing an Air Purifier to Avoid Ozone?
Air purifiers are an excellent way to cleanse your home of various airborne contaminants, including mold and pet dander.
Always opt for an air purifier that incorporates a HEPA filter. These filters capture even the tiniest particles in the air and prevent them from multiplying. A high-performance purifier can help you, your family, and your pets breathe easier in your house.
Avoid HEPA/ionic air purifiers with built-in ozone generators when purchasing an air purifier for your home or office. These cleaners filter the air primarily by electrostatic plates and add ozone to eliminate odors and freshen the air.
If the purifier utilizes ozone technology, this information is frequently indicated on the box or in the description. Nonetheless, it’s critical to study as much information about the product as possible to ensure you aren’t purchasing one that contains ozone.
Manufacturers occasionally use the terms “activated oxygen,” “hyper oxygenated oxygen,” or “powered oxygen” to imply that their product contains healthy oxygen. However, these are alternative terms for ozone technology.
Personal ozone generators are also available for sale to improve indoor air quality and eliminate odors. They generate relatively large amounts of ozone but provide no additional particle filtration tasks.
They are used to eliminate odors but are utterly ineffectual at removing allergens such as mold and pollen from the air. The word ‘generator’ in the name is frequently sufficient to indicate that the equipment utilizes ozone technology.
Commercial-grade ozone generators fulfill the same function as personal-use ozone generators. These should be used only by trained professionals and in limited circumstances.
These generators also produce such high concentrations of ozone. As such, they should be used with extreme caution and never in a room with people present.
Do All Air Purifiers Create Ozone?
Air purifiers that use solely high-efficiency particle air filters (HEPA filters) to purify the air don’t emit ozone. On the other hand, ionizing air purifiers generate ozone because of their electric charge.
Does IQAir Produce Ozone?
No, the IQAir air purifiers are ozone-free purifiers.
Are There Any Air Purifiers That Do Not Emit Ozone?
Yes, there are a few purifiers that don’t emit ozone and some of them include the following::
- LEVOIT Air Purifier Core 300
- Whirlpool WPPRO2000M Whispure True HEPA Air Purifier
- Dyson Pure Cool TP04
- Medify MA-25 Air Purifier
- Bissell Smart Purifier
- Blueair Classic 605
- IQAir GC MultiGas HEPA Air Purifier
Is IQAir a Good Investment?
This air purifier appears to be well constructed. The materials and craft are of superior quality. The device is costly, but it’s worth the money if you’re sensitive to pollen, dust, and mold.
Where Should I Store IQAir?
Your IQAir system should be installed in the room with the greatest demand for air cleaning. To ensure adequate air circulation, it should preferably be situated one foot (30 cm) away from the nearest vertical surface. Next, insert the connector end of the cable to the system’s base.
How long should I leave my IQAir running?
It’s totally up to the consumer to determine how frequently they utilize their IQAir device. All IQAir room air cleaners may be operated 24 hours a day without causing damage to the system. Usually, when the system is run at speed 6, it takes 15 minutes to remove 50% of the particles in a large room.
Air purifiers like IQAir can help you fight respiratory difficulties’ microorganisms; thus, we recommend acquiring one for your home or business. To enjoy your purifier better, make sure to keep it clean when not in use.