are ozone generators harmful
Ozone, or O 3, is a gas containing three oxygen atoms. Ozone is an unstable chemical that is highly reactive with other gases in the air. Ozone at ground level is unhealthy and is a component of smog. Breathing ozone for a short period of time may worsen symptoms in people with heart disease. Ozone can react with other chemicals in the air to produce additional chemicals and fine particles that can also be irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Ground level ozone is a major component of smog. Ozone found high up in the atmosphere, called stratospheric ozone, protects us by shielding us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. This “high in the sky” ozone and its beneficial effects should not be confused with the harmful “low to the ground” ozone, or smog. Some indoor “air purifiers” emit ozone, a major component of outdoor smog, either intentionally or as a by-product of their design. Those that intentionally emit ozone are often called “ozone generators,” and are the focus of this fact sheet. Ozone found high up in the atmosphere, called stratospheric ozone, protects us by shielding us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. This high in the sky ozone and its beneficial effects should not be confused with the harmful effects of ground level and indoor ozone. Adults and children who breathe high levels of ozone for a short period of time (minutes or hours) can experience eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. Breathing high levels of ozone can worsen asthma symptoms. View full size image. Actually, it's both, depending on what altitude you find it at …. Ninety percent of Earth's ozone is found in the stratosphere (the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, just above the one in which we dwell, the troposphere). This ozone forms the ozone layer, which shields everything on the planet's surface from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. But when ozone forms at the surface (when pollution from cars reacts with UV rays), it is a pollutant itself, and can damage forests, crops and can irritate human lungs. 3 Why is it safe to use ozone to purify water, but not air? Ozone can be used successfully to purify water in some applications. This is because very high levels of ozone can be used in water, and the reactions are taking place under water, where people are not generally exposed. What are some of the health effects from exposure to ozone? Ozone is very harmful to the lungs. Exposure to ozone can make breathing difficult, inflame the lungs and lining of the respiratory tract, lead to permanent lung damage, and make it harder for the body to fight respiratory diseases. There are a number of studies that have been performed to evaluate ozone output from air purifiers. In one study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), researchers ran an ozone generator in a test home at its maximum setting.
Yes