OZONE AIR PURIFIERS RESEARCH REFERENCES

When searching for air purifiers you'll be sure to run into Websites pushing, real hard, ozone generators and ozone air purifiers. Some are so desperate to sell their ozone air purifiers that they post false information about the benefits of UV light to try & make their ozone air purifiers sound superior. There's a few things you need to look at before you consider an ozone air purifier. It is a SCIENTIFIC FACT that ozone air purifiers can be hazardous to your health and are poor air cleaners, which is why the EPA and nearly every health department in the United States recommends you not use them.

The State of California has approved a ban on ozone air purifiers (9/28/07).
Click here to see the list of banned air purifiers if you're from California

This page gives a few examples of why ozone air purifiers are bad.

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Some devices, known as ozone generators, personal ozone devices, “energized oxygen”, “triatomic oxygen”, “activated oxygen” and “pure air” generators are sold as air cleaners, but they are not recommended for use in occupied buildings. Ozone does not remove particles from the air, and would not be effective during smoke events. Ozone itself is toxic and a regulated outside air pollutant. We advise the public to avoid exposure to ozone indoors by not using air cleaners that produce ozone.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/WildfireSmokeFAQ.doc (MS Word)

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Ozone-generating devices should not be used in occupied spaces. Ozone is a lung irritant.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/iaq/SchoolsGuide.shtm#Ozonegenerating

STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Devices referred to as "ion generators" or “ozone generators” produce ozone either indirectly or directly, respectively. Any "air cleaner" or "air purifier" that produces ozone may pose a risk to you, your family, and your pets. Some manufacturers or vendors suggest that ozone will render almost every chemical contaminant harmless by producing a chemical reaction whose only by-products are carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water. They also claim that removing pollutants will freshen the air using a process similar to what occurs naturally during a thunderstorm. According to the EPA’s review of scientifically supported studies, these claims are unfounded and dangerously misleading. Available scientific evidence shows that at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants. Keep in mind that ozone (sometimes referred to as Oxygen 3 or trivalent oxygen), either indoors or outside, is unhealthy to breathe and can cause serious health effects or even death in high concentrations. Ozone can irritate a person’s airways, reduce lung function, aggravate asthma and chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis, and inflame and damage the cells lining the lungs. Ozone may also reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off bacterial infections in the respiratory system, and long-term, repeated exposure may cause permanent lung damage. That is why ozone generating air purifiers are particularly dangerous for use in confined spaces. The Michigan Attorney General (AG) provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern. Since 1998, the Michigan AG has had a Consumer Alert regarding ozone generating devices.
http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-aqd-newlt-july04.pdf

US NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
"Even when ozone is present in low levels, inhaling it triggers a variety of health problems including chest pains, coughing, nausea, throat irritation, and congestion. It also can worsen bronchitis, heart disease, emphysema, and asthma, and reduce lung capacity"
http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/ozone.shtml

EPA
"Contrary to the claims of some vendors, no agency of the federal government has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces. In fact, when ozone is inhaled, it can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, nausea, throat irritation, and congestion. It may also worsen bronchitis, heart disease, emphysema, and asthma, and can compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. Although manufacturers and vendors of ozone generators may describe ozone as "energized oxygen" or "pure air," ozone is a toxic gas with different properties from oxygen. In fact, several federal agencies have established health standards or recommendations to limit human exposure to ozone. Scientific studies have shown that when ozone concentrations do not exceed these public health standards, ozone has little potential to remove indoor air contaminants. Particles such as dust and pollen that cause allergies are not removed by ozone. Ozone is also not effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals, nor does it remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants. The public is advised to use proven methods of controlling indoor air pollution"
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
"It can have damaging health effects, especially for persons with asthma and other lung diseases, children and the elderly. It is produced directly by ozone generators and indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air cleaners. The American Lung Association suggests that ozone generators not be used."

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
"no federal agency approves, much less recommends, ozone generators for use in occupied spaces."
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/ozone/airfresh.htm

STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
"People should avoid using indoor air cleaning devices that produce ozone, sometimes referred to by marketers as activated oxygen," said Jim Stratton, M.D., M.P.H., State Health Officer."
"Although ozone generating machines are promoted as air cleaners, independent studies have shown that the machines do not effectively destroy microbes, remove odor sources or reduce indoor pollutants sufficiently to provide any health benefits. The Federal Trade Commission has recently taken action against some manufacturers of ozone generating machines for making unsupported claims about the ability of the machines to clean air."
http://www.applications.dhs.ca.gov/pressreleases/store/pressreleases/27-97.html