Aerovex Formerly Modern Solutions

Preface: The following information is provided to help you better understand the difference between natural, beneficial levels of ozone found in fresh air which can also be duplicated indoors with residential air purifiers; and the potentially unsafe levels of ozone produced by fuel combustion from millions of automobiles and aircraft, typically found in large cities with heavy air pollution.

What is ozone?

Ozone, also known as “activated oxygen,” is an oxidizer produced by nature to keep our air clean and safe to breathe. Nature converts regular oxygen into activated oxygen (ozone) to oxidize (burn up) harmful air pollutants. Through the process of reacting with most air pollutants, ozone converts these harmful substances into more harmless compounds such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. After ozone reacts with pollutants in the air, it instantly reverts back into breathable oxygen. Ozone is created outdoors from natural phenomenon, primarily electrical lightning and sunshine. The ozone made from these sources is considered both essential and harmless. These safe, beneficial levels of ozone are found virtually everywhere on earth including forests, meadows, over the ocean and up in the mountain tops; far away from the high pollution levels found in cites. This is how our air has been purified outdoors for thousands of years before industrialization. This tiny amount of ground level ozone is absolutely essential to life. Without natural amounts of ozone in the outdoor air we breathe, every living thing on earth would likely die from massive chemical and biological pollution.

Ozone can also be produced through fuel combustion. When man produces too much ozone, such as by millions of automobiles and aircraft in large cities, the ozone itself can become irritating to our respiratory system. These large cities will then issue “ozone alerts.” These higher levels of ozone are typically proportional to the amount of pollution in the air. Understanding that the many air pollutants produced from combustion cannot easily be measured, the ozone, which can easily be measured, is used as a pollution level “indicator.” It should be acknowledged that the respiratory problems experienced in these large cities are directly related to the massive amounts of particles and other combustion pollutants (the visible haze) in that air. In addition, the ozone in that polluted air is also simultaneously acting as a purifier to help clean the pollutants from that air.

Regarding ozone safety, it is the amount of ozone in the air that is important. As an example, fire is also an oxidizer, which can be both good and bad. A small amount of fire is great to heat a home or to cook a meal. At the two extremes: No fire at all could leave one cold and hungry, or too much fire could burn a home down. In essence, certain levels of fire are beneficial and others are not. Nonetheless, our need for fire must be acknowledged and proper levels must be maintained to receive the benefits from it. This analogy of fire parallels the distinction between safe levels of ozone being maintained indoors by small air purifiers and the other two extremes: The total absence of ozone indoors and mass vehicular pollution in large cities. We must remember that nature depicts our need for such things as ozone, ions, oxygen, food, water, sleep and exercise. Too much or too little of any of these and we will likely become ill, yet in just the right amounts, they promote good health.

Can we trust nature’s air purification ozone levels?

We all know that we need oxygen in our air to stay alive, however, too much or not enough oxygen can be a detriment to our health. The exact amount of oxygen that we need for optimum health is determined for us by nature. Likewise, the amount of activated oxygen (ozone) that is essential for a healthy existence on earth is also accurately determined for us by nature. Despite natures natural pollution from oil fires, forest fires, volcanic gasses, etc., all of the added pollution from nearly six billion people, nature still does a miraculous job of continually purifying earths limited air supply. Thanks to ozone purification, we can safely breathe this limited air over and over again, without the use of chemical air fresheners or air filters. This is also the reason we like to go “out” for fresh air and is clear proof that we can trust in natural ozone levels.

Conversely, most indoor environments have air that is missing healthy levels of ozone. Surprisingly, these indoor environments can easily have air pollution levels as much as 500% higher than those found outdoors in large cities. This indoor air pollution can contain three different types of contaminants that include: 1) floating dust particles from a variety of unpleasant sources, 2) chemical gasses being continually emitted from carpet, furniture, plastics, clothing and building materials, some of which off-gas for as long as 20 years, and 3) biological contaminants such as mold, mildew, dust mites, mite excrement, bacteria and viruses. These pollutants can cause a long list of respiratory ailments and other ill health affects.

In today’s energy efficient structures, there is virtually no ozone available in our indoor air because there is no source for it. Do we have direct sunshine that does not pass through glass, or electrical lightning bolts inside of our houses or in the buildings we work in?…of course not. Do we even open our windows? Not as often as we should and, if we did, the beneficial effects only last about five minutes after closing them at which time the air starts to become rancid again. If we could leave all of our windows and doors wide open, 24 hours a day, all year long, we would have much less of an ozone deficiency problem in our homes. This is obviously impractical for security reasons, as well as, indoor temperature and humidity control. This is also why so many people are now using air purifiers to replace the natural, beneficial levels of ozone in their indoor air.

Why is there so much confusion about ozone?

There is considerable confusion regarding the use of indoor air purification systems that produce ozone as part of the purification process. This confusion always stems from a lack of understanding about the “levels” of ozone in air. Adding to this confusion, all levels of ozone are measured in tiny amounts called “parts per million” (PPM) which means that both safe and unsafe levels are called “low” levels. There is however a very significant difference between .03 PPM, typically found in fresh outdoor air and 1.0 PPM that can be found in smog. This amount in fresh air for instance is 33 times lower than the smog level. Nature produces a level which we all enjoy breathing in fresh air. On the other hand, the much higher amount found in city smog could be irritating to eyes and lungs.

People who replace the safe levels of ozone in their indoor air enjoy and often rave about the benefits they receive. Yet, other people are afraid of using ozone indoors because they associate these beneficial levels of ozone with the much higher levels of ozone produced by automobiles and aircraft. The irony is that these same fearful people breathe beneficial levels of ozone every time they step outdoors for “fresh” air. In truth, comparing the safe level of ozone replaced indoors by a small air purifier to the amounts of ozone produced by multimillions of vehicles is an irrational comparison.

Perhaps it is no surprise that government information regarding ozone and air purifiers is also very confusing. Documents referenced by the government refer primarily to levels of ozone from mass vehicular combustion. They do not clearly address the difference between these levels and those produced by small residential air purifiers. One has to read through numerous pages of information about possible health affects of vehicular ozone to find the official statement that those levels of ozone which are below the government standard of .05 PPM are known to be harmless. This misinformation and lack of clarification only serve to confuse people who do not thoroughly research IAQ (Indoor Air Quality).

Who profits from this confusion?

It would appear that there are five groups that significantly profit when people remain confused on the ozone issue. First, there are those who manufacture and sell chemical deodorizers, which literally pollute indoor air while attempting to cover up odors caused from lack of ozone. Sales are evidenced by the huge displays of these products found in stores everywhere. Secondly, there are the HEPA air filter companies that profit when people do not understand the difference between basic filtration and ozone enhanced air purification technology. Thirdly, there are the doctors, many of whom now have waiting lists of people who are suffering with breathing disorders. Admittedly, while most doctors have the best interest of their patients in mind, doctors generally have no education as to the seriousness of the indoor air pollution problem. Unfortunately, the medical alternatives are surgery or the prescription of drugs for those who suffer IAQ related illnesses. (Note: Do not discontinue any medications without first consulting your doctor.) Fourthly, there are the manufacturers and dealers of drugs, which treat only the symptoms associated with breathing indoor air. Marketing commercials for these drugs are now being shown repeatedly on national television. Despite the long list of side effects that can in some cases be worse than the breathing disorder, these companies are selling multibillions of dollars worth of drugs to people who suffer. Fifthly, the government approves these drugs, and then in turn, collects taxes on them from people who oftentimes become as physically dependent on them as street addicts do to illicit drugs. If you cannot breathe, you’ll pay the money. With so much money being made treating only symptoms, it makes one wonder why there is so much confusing or misinformation being disseminated regarding the benefits of ozone replacement. The paradox is that those who make misstatements concerning ozone, breathe copious amounts of ozone when they go out for fresh air, and are just as susceptible to the ill affects of indoor air.

Are all ozone producing air purifiers safe?

During a government cited test, a machine rated for a large area of 3,000 SF. was placed into a small room of only 350 SF. and then adjusted to the maximum setting. It was discovered they had to significantly violate the operating instructions like this in order to achieve levels that are not recommended for occupied spaces. These higher levels can create a temporary smell similar to chlorine from an indoor pool and are used only to sanitize a room or eliminate strong odor problems in temporarily unoccupied rooms. While sanitizing and odor removal are obvious benefits, this was not the setting for normal indoor air cleaning. As with any appliance, we do not operate them on the maximum settings unless we have a beneficial reason to do so and we should only do so according to the instructions.

Virtually every governmental agency and health organization agrees that the average levels of ozone produced naturally throughout the earth are completely harmless to our health. While there are a number of brands of residential air purifiers that reproduce ozone indoors, verifying scientific validation for safe levels of ozone production is recommended. At the time of this writing, there is only one company, which as a result of a federal court hearing, has had air purifying efficiency claims validated in governmentally approved laboratories. This company proved that the air purification systems could effectively eliminate polluting odors, tobacco smoke and even second hand smoke. Second hand smoke is one of the most difficult indoor air pollutants to eliminate because it consists of thousands of chemical gasses and microscopic particles that can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. This same company has also proven that their air purifiers can kill harmful mold, mildew and bacteria when used on the higher settings in unoccupied rooms. The final outcome of this hearing was very important to those already using ozone replacement to improve indoor air problems. Other companies may offer this type of proof in the future but at minimum, any air purifier that produces ozone should have full adjustability of the ozone output.

Are there known benefits from ozone replacement?

At the time of this article, the leading company in ozone replacement technologies has sold approximately four million air purification systems and is currently selling approximately 50,000 of their patented air purifiers every 30 days. Most of these systems are being used 24 hours a day, some for over 14 years. They are being used in every conceivable indoor environment including homes, offices, day care centers, bars, restaurants, hospitals, laboratories, retail stores, etc. With billions upon billions of hours of use, there has not been so much as one substantiated injury from replacing beneficial levels of ozone to indoor air. In fact, the opposite seems to be true.

People who have been replacing the missing ozone to their indoor air have been giving testimony to the many benefits. Users have claimed that difficult odors from pets, smokers, mold and mildew are virtually eliminated, that their homes smell like fresh air, that house plants thrive and cut flowers last longer, even that their pets feel better and have been seen sleeping in front of air purifiers just as instinctively as they would an open window. Farmers who are now replacing ozone to the air in barns have significantly reduced polluting barn odors, as well as, the rate of animal death by disease. When one considers the levels of airborne contaminants being found in all indoor environments, perhaps it should not seem unusual that there would be so many personal testimonies from people replacing ozone indoors.

As astounding as these testimonies are, it is the stories concerning humans that are most remarkable. Claims of chronic headaches disappearing, allergy and asthma symptoms ceasing or diminishing, snoring cessation, increased sense of smell, children and adults sleeping better, and the stories continue. We must keep in mind that despite the testimonies from those who purify their indoor air, it is illegal for the manufacturers and dealers of air purification systems to make any health claims such as these. While testimonials may compel us to consider the possible benefits of natural air purification indoors, air purifiers only treat the air, not people. They are not guaranteed to cure health problems and are not sold as medical devices or as a medical “cure.”

Does ozone replacement solve all IAQ problems?

Absolutely not. There is no single measure that can solve all indoor air quality problems. As important as trace ozone is to our air quality, it is only one of the factors involved in improving our indoor air. For the best possible indoor air quality there are four other functions that should take place in addition to ozone replacement. They are: Elimination of indoor contaminants through source reduction (another topic); ventilation to bring in oxygenated air from outdoors through the installation of make-up air vents and by opening windows as often as is feasible; filtration (trapping) of physical particles through the use of good quality air filters in furnaces, as well as, HEPA filtration in vacuum cleaners and room air cleaners; and ionization of airborne particles which are too small to be trapped in filters but equally, if not more dangerous to our lungs. (See the article about electrical ions.)

Elimination, ventilation and filtration are not used outdoors but rather are man-made necessities to enhance indoor air quality in indoor environments. On the other hand, electrical ions are nature’s “sister ingredient” for outdoor air purification. Ions work synergistically with ozone to help combat a variety of airborne contaminants. Ions serve us by coagulating dust particles and settling them out of the air we breathe. Indoors, 90% of the particles that float weightlessly in the air are completely invisible to the naked eye, yet removal of these particle pollutants can make indoor air much easier to inhale, as well as, better for our health. Replacing the missing electrical ions to the same beneficial levels as found outdoors is just as important as replacing ozone. Without ions or ozone in the air, our air literally becomes dense and rancid. Some people call it “dead air” or “sick building syndrome.” This rancid air can contain a literal soup of pollutants which can make indoor air difficult to breathe for many people and unpleasant for many others. If curious and mindful enough to pay attention, one can immediately detect rancid air upon entering a home or building, simply through sense of smell. Physical symptoms experienced indoors can also help to compare the purified air outdoors with the rancid air in homes and workplaces. Fortunately, both ions and ozone can now be replaced indoors electronically, very inexpensively, and often with only one device for an entire home.

How bad is the indoor air in houses and buildings?

Since the 1970’s, we have been making our homes very airtight and energy efficient. Consequently, this causes homes to collect, compound and even create pollutants in the indoor air we breathe. Correlated with the energy saving measures, we have had epidemic increases in the number of people who are now suffering with allergies, asthma and other health problems. Hundreds of thousands of people are being hospitalized and millions now need doctor visits, drugs, shots and inhalers. Indoor air pollution is a widespread problem in both new and old homes, whether located in cities or in rural areas. It is non-discriminating, affecting everyone from infants to senior citizens. The U.S. government has considered the indoor air pollution problem to be a #1 environmental health concern.

On average, each human will breathe approximately 2,500 gallons of air every day without proper consideration of its purity. We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors breathing continuous amounts of particle pollutants, off-gassing chemicals and airborne biological pollutants. All three of the categories of indoor air pollution can affect everyone to varying degrees with a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms can include stuffy nose, nasal drip, ear infections, itchy throat, itchy eyes, tearing eyes, sneezing, chronic coughs, wheezing, headaches, sleep difficulty, snoring, dizziness, tiredness, fatigue, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, sinusitis, sinus infections, mild and severe asthma, as well as allergies to dust, dander, pollen, mites, mold and chemicals. All of these symptoms can be caused by, or aggravated by indoor air contaminants. Odors from new construction materials, remodeling, paints, urethanes, new carpet, new vinyl, house pets, smoke, mold and mildew are also indicative of indoor air contamination. If we lived outdoors and breathed fresh air all of the time, it would be unlikely that we would be experiencing these epidemic levels of symptoms. If you or those you care about suffer from any of the symptoms associated with indoor air, it is recommended to take every measure possible to clean your indoor air, without delay. The longer the exposure, the greater the health risks.
(See articles on ions and air purification systems.)

by Building Inspector and Indoor Air Specialist, Dan Schilling
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