SanusAer high-performance ozone generators can be used with shock treatment methods to oxidize contaminants that accumulate inside, resulting in the destruction of allergens that trigger the symptoms of allergy sufferers and improving their quality of life. An official website of the United States Government Use of official websites. Government A.gov website belongs to an official United States government organization. Several brands of ozone generators have the EPA establishment number on their packages, which helps the EPA identify the specific facility that produces the product.
Viewing this number does not imply approval by the EPA nor does it suggest in any way that the EPA has determined that the product is safe or effective. Ozone generators sold as air filters intentionally produce ozone gas. Often, sellers of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For nearly a century, health professionals have refuted these claims (Sawyer, et al, 1913; Salls, 1927; Boeniger, 1995; American Lung Association, 1997; Al-Ahmady, 1999). The purpose of this document is to provide accurate information on the use of ozone-generating devices in occupied indoor spaces. This information is based on the most credible scientific evidence available today.
Some vendors suggest that these devices have been approved by the federal government for use in busy spaces. On the contrary, NO federal government agency has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces. Because of these claims, and because ozone can cause health problems at high concentrations, several federal government agencies have worked in consultation with the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency to produce this public information document. Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Two oxygen atoms make up the basic oxygen molecule: the oxygen we breathe and that is essential for life. The third oxygen atom can detach itself from the ozone molecule and rejoin the molecules of other substances, thus altering its chemical composition. It is this ability to react with other substances that forms the basis of the manufacturers' claims. The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with organic material similar to that which makes up the body and, potentially, cause harmful health consequences.
When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. Ozone can also worsen chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, and compromise the body's ability to fight respiratory infections. People's susceptibility to ozone varies widely. Healthy people, as well as those with breathing difficulties, may experience respiratory problems when exposed to ozone.
Exercise during exposure to ozone causes more ozone to be inhaled and increases the risk of harmful respiratory effects. Recovery from harmful effects may occur after brief exposure to low levels of ozone, but health effects may be more harmful and recovery less certain at higher levels or from longer exposures (U. EPA 1996a, 1996b). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that ozone production from indoor medical devices does not exceed 0.05 ppm. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers not be exposed to an average concentration of more than 0.10 ppm for 8 hours.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends a maximum limit of 0.10 ppm, which should not be exceeded at any time. The EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone is a maximum average outdoor concentration of 0.08 ppm in 8 hours. The U. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes a distinction between ozone in the upper and lower atmosphere. Ozone in the upper atmosphere, known as stratospheric ozone, helps filter harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
While ozone in the stratosphere protects us, ozone in the atmosphere - which is what we breathe - can be harmful to our respiratory system.Harmful levels of ozone can be produced by the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals released into the environment (e.g., volatile organic compounds). These harmful concentrations of ozone in the atmosphere are often accompanied by high concentrations of other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter and hydrocarbons. Whether pure or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. Some manufacturers or vendors suggest that ozone will render almost all chemical contaminants harmless by producing a chemical reaction whose only by-products are carbon dioxide, oxygen and water.
Evidence shows that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is not effective in eliminating many chemicals that cause odors. If used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold or other biological contaminants. The results of some controlled studies show that ozone concentrations significantly higher than these standards are possible even if users follow manufacturer's operating instructions. There are many brands and models of ozone generators on the market; they vary in terms of how much ozone they can produce.
In many circumstances, using an ozone generator may not result in ozone concentrations exceeding public health standards; however many factors affect indoor ozone concentration so under some conditions it may exceed public health standards. The actual concentration of ozone produced by an ozone generator depends on many factors; concentrations will be higher if a more powerful device or more than one device is used; if a device is placed in a small space rather than a large space; if interior doors are closed rather than open; if there are fewer materials and furniture present which absorb or react with ozone; if there is less ventilation from outside air rather than more; and if a person is close to an ozone-generating device. The concentration is highest at the point where the ozone leaves the device and generally decreases as it moves away from it.
