Isn't it Ionic? Air Purifiers Make Smog

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Me too ...

by Evie May 10, 2006 11:40PM PDT

... and surprised this hasn't been "discovered" and addressed sooner.

Evie

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It's probably regulated by the government who did its usual

by Kiddpeat May 11, 2006 7:32AM PDT

thorough job of staying on top of things.

Oh, yes! It's George's fault.

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That's why, I changed

by Glenda May 11, 2006 2:00PM PDT

my mind about buying one from my BIL!! Angeline sent me the CR comments on them and I did more searching. Just figured I had enough problems without dropping 500.00 bucks on the thing

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Too much $$ Sue..

by Rolway May 12, 2006 1:11AM PDT

You can get a good one for about $200. Just don't get the one with the ionizing electrode bars that you pull out and wash in the sink. The snapping and popping noise they make burning up the dust particles will drive your dogs crazy.

George

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(NT) (NT) Ionic Ironic $#@? Now you tell me. I just bought one.

by Rolway May 10, 2006 11:52PM PDT

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(NT) (NT) Hopefully you can still return it?

by Evie May 10, 2006 11:57PM PDT

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Just checked it all out. Different rig

by Rolway May 11, 2006 1:26AM PDT

This one I got does not use the ionization process with the electrode bars. It uses a multi-function cartridge that captures pollutanats utilizing 3 combined technologies. High efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA), Gas/vapor absorption component and Advanced, Titanium photocatalst, with Ozone Shield.

Its the Fresh Air Machine by Science Air Products. www.freshairmachine.com

Who knows, maybe its OK, but I'll have to think about some more now. It sounds better than that Ionic rig.

George

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(NT) (NT) I'd check it out. Ozone Shield sounds like a problem.

by EdH May 11, 2006 2:24AM PDT

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Actually...

by Rolway May 11, 2006 3:25AM PDT

you can use it with or without this Ozone Shield operation. Its a function called PURE+ (Advanced Cleaning)and you can switch it on or off. Clinical grade UV (Ultra Violet spectrum light) helps combat bacteria and activates the Titanium photocatalyst and Ozone Shield technologies. Sounds like you would want the Ozone Shield on.

This mumbo jumbo high tech stuff is way over my head. Guess I'll just run it and see who gasps the most.

George

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Heres something on that Ozone business EdH

by Rolway May 11, 2006 3:41AM PDT

course this is what they say anyway

George

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Ionic

by marinetbryant May 11, 2006 1:28AM PDT

I've a fairly inexpensive Hunter air cleaner and you can turn off the ionizer, leaving the carbon and HEPA filters working. Checked the allergy sufferers web and they have a few more recommendations.

Tom

The only reason I bought one is because I smoke.

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i have 1 it

by Mark5019 May 11, 2006 1:29AM PDT

helps me as i sleep better with it than with out it

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So, when they say it generates pure oxygen

by Dragon May 11, 2006 11:10AM PDT

they weren't kidding.

I had a suspicion, but didn't have any basis for saying it was a fact.

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(NT) (NT) Assuming that was a pun, it was a damn' good one Ed.

by Ziks511 May 11, 2006 3:56PM PDT

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(NT) (NT) Me too, but ozone is a big no no for asthmatics.

by Ziks511 May 11, 2006 3:58PM PDT

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Heres some more on your Live Science Article. Blogs.

by Rolway May 12, 2006 1:01AM PDT

Clearing the Air
Posted on May 10, 2006 @ 14:29:09 EDT
Author Robert Roy Britt

I got a few questions and criticisms over my story about indoor air purifiers creating pollution. Lets clear the air:

Dennis: The processes which create smog also create ozone. Ozone is not smog.

Glad to be corrected. I wrote: Ozone high in the atmosphere protects Earth from damaging ultraviolet radiation. Down here, it is called smog. I should have written, Down here, ozone is the main component in smog.

Chris: All your article did is rehash old information that can be found anywhere on the internet. Your article made it seem that new research found new results, but you dont indicate that at all.

The article is indeed based on a new study, as I state at the beginning. The study was the first to document the effects of air purifiers in such a detailed fashion, and it was published in the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. I also state that these concerns were raised last year, and in fact quote an official from the California Air Resources Board and note that the quote was made last year.

Several readers wondered if I had information on individual brands. I dont. While that would certainly be useful information, getting it for all the makes and models (and being fair by not leaving any out) is a task well beyond the scope of the article. I would encourage a potential buyer to ask questions.

While my story mentioned no brands, reps of some manufacturers (a couple of whom suggested I write stories about their products, which I dont plan to do) noted: Many air purifiers have been modified because of the ozone concerns; other air filters work by different processes, including high-grade filters that do not produce ozone; other manufacturers are providing kits to monitor ozone levels. You can search the web to find these alternatives.

Other readers offered good advice and additional information, including:

Travis: It seems that there is lot of negative press about them with regard to ozone levels. However, nobody has discussed the fact that some air purifiers do not automatically ionize. In fact, the one I have will operate without the ionizing function turned on.

http://www.livescience.com/blogs/

George

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