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Re: Air Purifier Ozone Increasing with Age?

A Reader writes:

So I've read through your site, but haven't found this question.

Is it scientifically/electrically possible that an air purifier that has been rated well below the FDA/OSHA standards for ozone can increase ozone production after a couple of months?

Well, that's my question.

Could you write me back please? Would really appreciate it.

I can't find the answer on google.

A Reader.

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

Yes, it is possible for some air cleaners to generate increasing ozone output with age.

However, this is less common today than it was 5 years ago when electrostatic types dominated the market.

A common source of ozone is electrical arcing.

The high voltages applied to electrostatic grids used in Oreck, Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, Brookstone, Ionic Pro, Friedrich, and similar eletrostatics were prone to developing burn points where the high voltages used created pits at the contact points.

As electricity jumped across these gaps, corona discharge ozone production was quite common. Often there would be popping noises and crackling to notify users something was wrong, but this was often considered "normal."

This issue is less common today, and generally not an issue with good quality HEPAS. Many of the newer designs for air purifiers built today have voltage stepped down to just 12 Volts, and brushless motors (BLDC) which make no sparks. These will not produce ozone.

Of course, stay away from the above mentioned brands and the former Ecoquest group and its imitators, which use a discharge plate to intentionally create ozone.

The FDA standards apply to medical devices, not air cleaners. OSHA regulates industrial workplace levels. Despite advertising hype, these levels (FDA 50 ppb) are inappropriate for evaluating air purifiers.

Good quality, modern air purifiers emit less than 10 parts per billion (.01 parts per million) ozone over their entire useful life. At these levels, background and outdoor ozone and volatile organic chemical (VOC) emissions become more important.

Best wishes,

Ed

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