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Ozone Generator versus Air purifier
As technology develops and with the increase in air pollution, more and more people are using air purifiers in their homes and workplaces. This rising use of air purifiers can be harmful to the environment as well as us. One of the significant concerns with these ozone generators is that they actually endup being harmful to us and the environment.
What is ozone?
Three oxygen molecules, or “O3,” make up ozone. Ozone is called “trioxygen” in the scientific community. This third oxygen molecule is unstable, and it has a weak bond with the other two. As a result, it will readily attach itself to pollution, particularly pollutants with a strong odour, such as smoke. It’s also capable of securing to viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and organic materials. The chemical is eliminated once it binds to contaminants. Ozone’s capacity to connect to other molecules like smoke and stink provides it the capacity to clean and deodorize indoor spaces quickly.
Ozone Generator VS Air purifier
Ozone Generator
An ozone air generator, also known as ozone machines or ozone air purifiers, is one of the most frequent ways to “clean” air and remove harsh odours. These machines use a natural process to generate ozone. However, just because something is “natural” doesn’t guarantee it’s healthy. Because ozone is so reactive, storing it for a longer time is difficult, at least with current technology and knowledge. As a result, it must be produced on-site with the help of high-tech machines.
Ozone air purifiers take in oxygen (O2) from the air and charge it with a strong electrical charge. The oxygen molecules can rearrange themselves as a result of the electrical charge, forming O3, the well-known ozone.
When it comes into contact with pollutant molecules such as mould or smoke, the third oxygen molecule attaches itself to the pollutant molecules and effectively removes them. O3 binds to bacteria, fungus, germs, smells, and other pollutants, destroying the cell wall at the molecular level. The contaminant is removed while the ozone is converted back to oxygen in this process.
Ozone generators can be beneficial for cleansing unpleasant odours, reducing the smell of smoke, and removing mould through this procedure. They’re utilized in hospitals, hotels, and even private residences, but as we’ll see, they’re dangerous and should only be utilised by skilled, competent people.
Ozone generators create a substance that the EPA has classified as a “pollutant.” Even though ozone is hazardous enough for the EPA to regulate it, ozone generators emit it into your home. This alone would serve as a sufficient warning regarding the dangers of ozone generator air purification.
Air Purifier
An air purifier or air cleaner is a device that removes pollution from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality. These devices are commonly marketed as beneficial to allergy sufferers and asthmatics and reduce or eliminate second-hand tobacco smoke. Conventionally, there are many types of Air Purifiers available on the market.
- The HEPA purifier is one of the most effective air purifiers. HEPA filters remove 99.97 percent of 0.3-micrometer particles and are typically more effective at eliminating larger and smaller particles. HEPA purifiers, which filter all of the air entering a clean room, must be set up in such a way that no air passes through them. In dusty environments, a HEPA filter may follow an easily cleaned conventional filter (prefilter), removing coarser impurities so that the HEPA filter needs cleaning or replacing less frequently. HEPA filters do not produce ozone or hazardous by-products.
- Filter HVAC with a MERV 14 or higher rating is rated to filter airborne particles with a diameter of 0.3 micrometers or greater. For particles between 0.3 and 1.0 micrometers, a high-efficiency MERV 14 filter has a capture rate of at least 75%. Although a MERV filter has a lower capture rate than a HEPA filter, a central air system can move far more air in the same amount of time. A high-grade MERV filter can be more effective than a high-powered HEPA unit at a fraction of the original capital cost.
- Ionizers in an air cleaner work by releasing negative ions. Ozone is a by-product of negative ion generators, albeit the ozone output is typically much smaller than that of an ozone air cleaner or ozone generator.
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So if we consider the Ozone Generator V/S Air purifier, we need to understand that though both are marketed as the same product, there are some huge differences between them.
- Ozone is created on purpose in an Ozone generator, whereas only a few air purifiers (ionizers) produce this harmful gas as a by-product.
- The air purifiers allow filtration of the indoor air quality, but the ozone generator produces a toxic gas to serve its purpose.
- Using an Ozone generator can lead to a weakened immune system and a variety of health problems, whereas air purifiers filter pollutants from indoor air, benefiting our health.
FAQ
What are the other methods to control indoor air?
Source Control-It is essential to identify the source of pollution indoors and minimize its use. Ventilation-it is the most commonly used method, which includes installing exhaust fans and keeping a suitable airflow mechanism. Air Cleaning through Air filter
How Harmful is ozone?
While oxygen molecules have two atoms, ozone molecules have three oxygen atoms. Because the extra oxygen atom can rapidly escape and connect to other compounds, ozone is extremely strong. This gas has a highly reactive property and can change the chemical composition of various chemicals in the air and damage our cells when inhaled. According to the American Lung Association, ozone is a powerful lung irritant, and any sort of exposure to high ozone levels in the air will increase lung disorders. Individuals with asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to ozone exposure.
How should we know which air purifier should buy?
While oxygen molecules have two atoms, ozone molecules have three oxygen atoms. Because the extra oxygen atom can rapidly escape and connect to other compounds, ozone is extremely strong. This gas has a highly reactive property and can change the chemical composition of various chemicals in the air and damage our cells when inhaled. According to the American Lung Association, ozone is a powerful lung irritant, and any sort of exposure to high ozone levels in the air will increase lung disorders. Individuals with asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to ozone exposure.
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