Dangers and Hazards to the Ozone of an Ionic Air Purification System

Increased Ozone Levels

• Many harmful air particles, such as dust, pollen or cigarette smoke exist as charged molecules, or positive ions, meaning each molecule has a missing electron. Ionic air purification systems are designed to emit negative ions, which are molecules that carry an extra electron or charge, according to Healthy Living Answer, a green living reference site. The negative ions emitted by purification systems attract the positive ions in the air. Whenever oxygen molecules carry an extra electron, ozone forms, which means ozone becomes a byproduct gas within the ionic purification process. According to a Consumer Reports study conducted in 2005, running an ionic air purification on a regular basis creates harmful levels of ozone in the air. Once these levels reach a certain point, ozone exposures can have toxic effects on humans and pets.

Respiratory Tract Effects

• Like any other gaseous material, ozone gases enter the respiratory tract through air passages that lead to the lungs and then branch out throughout the lung cavities. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the respiratory tract can filter out many harmful residues from gases, such as those left by chlorine or sulfur dioxide gases; however, this is not the case with ozone gas. Ozone residues rather dissolve inside the epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract. In effect, the ozone levels produced by ionic air purification systems can cause harmful health conditions to develop, such as inflamed airways, throat irritation, coughing and shortness of breath.

Lung Effects

• The longer an ionic air purification system runs, the higher the ozone level goes within an indoor space. According to the EPA, ozone gases can cause a form of progressive lung damage to develop when inhaled on a continuous basis. The epithelial cells lining the air passages have a thin fluid coating, known as epithelial lining fluid (EFL), that helps to protect the respiratory tract. Evidence of lung damage appears when certain enzyme chemicals are found mixed in with this fluid coating. These enzymes form when epithelial cells undergo damage caused by ozone exposures. Over time, the cells inside lung passageways become inflamed and a continual weakening in overall lung function occurs.