Pitting an air purifier vs an ozone generator requires some background knowledge, and we’re here to provide exactly that. In this comparison, there is only one clear winner. Knowing the differences between the two devices can save you from potential health risks to both yourself and your family. Once you see the difference, it’ll be time to figure out the best air purifier for your lifestyle.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ozone created by ozone generators negatively affects indoor air quality and is not up to par with today’s public health standards.
- Air purifiers are the best choice for their health benefits and ability to filter biological contaminants and trap airborne particles.
- Overall, avoid breathing ozone in any amount, and invest in a great air purifier that doesn’t have an ozone output.
Comparing Air Purifiers to Ozone Generators
When it comes to the showdown between an air purifier vs an ozone generator, like the Reme Halo vs iWave, one winner reigns supreme. You’ll find out more about that below. In the meantime, if you want to look further into different types of air cleaners, try reading about the differences between air purifiers vs vacuum purifiers, air purifiers vs air conditioners, and filters vs filterless air purifiers.
Explaining Air Purifiers
Even basic kinds of air purifiers are fantastic for trapping harmful airborne particles, including mold spores, dust particles, and pet dander. They don’t produce harmful ozone levels and can be safely relied upon to trap any biological contaminants, including those that act as lung irritants. The American Lung Association holds air purifiers in high regard when it comes to controlling long-term health issues such as asthma. Conventional wisdom tells you just to open a window, but that’s no longer your best bet. If you’re curious why check out air purifiers vs open windows to learn more.
Benefits of Air Purifiers
There is a wide range of benefits associated with air purification systems:
- Renowned organizations like the American Lung Association endorse air purifiers.
- They do not cause unsafe levels of gaseous pollutants to form through their usage.
- There are multiple types of air purifiers to choose from, including portable air cleaners.
Drawbacks of Air Purifiers
As with anything, there are always a few cons:
- Some models require filter replacement, which can be expensive
- Larger indoor spaces will require a larger, expensive unit to clean indoor air contaminants
Explaining Ozone Generators
Ozone air cleaners use ozone concentrations to remove airborne contaminants rather than filtering out indoor air pollution. At one point, indoor ozone levels weren’t seen as particularly harmful. As we’ve advanced, we have discovered that having even low levels of ozone can be detrimental to your health.
Insider Tip
Make sure that you invest in an air purification system that is large enough to clean the air in your household by checking the Clean Air Delivery Rating (CADR).
Benefits of Ozone Air Purifiers
There are a handful of benefits associated with ozone machines:
- They remove strong odors by transferring an extra oxygen atom to the scent molecules.
- The reactive nature of an ozone molecule makes attaching to biological pollutants easy.
- Small ozone machines are considered highly portable air cleaners.
Drawbacks of Ozone Air Purifiers
With human health professionals offering so much criticism, there are certainly drawbacks:
- Long-term health issues can arise from the effects of ozone exposure
- Ozone machines do not hold up to the health standards of today
Which is the Better Option?
People with asthma should steer clear of anything that generates ozone output. The chemical composition of ozone has been proven to leave behind dangerous byproducts which can act as a lung irritant, so an ozone generator is not ideal. Air purifiers, however, have an excellent track record and follow public health standards. They’re also endorsed by several foundations and federal agencies for reducing harmful levels of particulate matter in your household.
Warning
Long-term exposure to ozone can lead to serious health complications, including worsened asthma symptoms, allergic reactions, and more.
F.A.Q.
What are the adverse health effects of exposure to ozone?
High amounts of ozone have been linked to a range of health problems:
- They trigger allergic reactions.
- They can cause decreases in lung function.
- They might make asthma worse.
Are ozone generators effective at cleaning the air?
In short, the answer is both yes and no. Levels of ozone high enough to have any cleaning properties aren’t safe for people to be around. If the ozone levels are low enough to be moderately safe, the concentration is too low to make a difference of any kind.
What are the safety precautions of ozone generators?
There are a few things you can do to make ozone concentrations safer to breathe. We do not recommend using any system that relies on ozone air purification.
Why are ozone generators still on the market?
Unfortunately, the manufacturers of ozone generators often use misleading advertisements. They also have primarily escaped government regulations.
STAT: In a study by UC David, asthmatic participants reported a 20 percent reduction in clinic visits in 2018 by using a high-efficiency filtration system. (source)
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