Having indoor air problems is difficult. It causes numerous health problems, such as the proliferation of asthma and allergies. Furthermore, polluted indoor air doesn’t feel good when inhaled.
Fortunately, there are numerous air cleaning systems that are already available for consumer use these days. Of course, it is up to you which one you should pick. Today, the most common ones are air purifiers and ozone generators. Both of these technologies have claimed that they can reduce the number of air pollutants in a given space.
Here, we will divulge the key differences between ozone generators and air purifiers. In this way, you will be able to decide which one works for you. And of course, we will reveal which system provides the utmost benefits and efficiency.
Read on.
Air Purifiers vs. Ozone Generators: An Overview
Right from the get-go, we need to emphasize that ozone generators and air purifiers are two different systems. Their mechanisms are entirely similar. They implement unique technologies that could help deal with airborne pollutants.
Air purifiers
Air purifiers are a tool for cleaning and freshening the air. They are electrical appliances driven by filters so that they can remove particles and gasses. The best air purifiers can remove pet dander, mold spores, pollen, dust, smoke, and even viruses.
Not all air purifiers are the same. Some provide better filtration and coverage than others. However, the principle of their operation remains the same. They use several filters, such as HEPA filters and mechanical filters, to capture pollutants. Some include activated carbon filters that can reduce the prevalence of foul odor. This design is simple but is thoroughly effective.
Ozone generators
An ozone generator is a tool for those who depend on clean air. Although some people use an ozone generator for fun, others use it for health. An ozone generator is a tool that can be used to prevent extensive damage to human health from naturally occurring air pollution. Some manufacturers offer models that operate via hazard sources such as smokestacks or cigarette boxes.
However, the effectiveness of ozone generators remains questionable. Aside from that, they are some studies that suggest that they induce health problems. While it is true that ozone can defend you from UV rays, it still has adverse effects if you inhale it.
According to its manufacturers, ozone generators produce charges to contaminants when they get in contact. Once there’s a charge, these airborne pollutants will get heavy, which, in turn, cause them to drop in the ground or any surface. In short, ozone generators can prevent pollutants from floating in your air. Once they are in the ground, you will be able to sweep them.
Technically, this mechanism does work. However, it would require a lot of time before it takes effect. And while you are waiting for that to take place, there’s a possibility that you have already exposed yourself to a good amount of ozone. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has released an informational page that serves as a warning regarding the hazards and insufficiency of ozone generators.
Air Purifiers vs. Ozone Generators: Their Mechanisms
As we have mentioned earlier, air purifiers use different types of filters to trap contaminants. No, these air purifiers don’t “kill” pollutants. Instead, they just trap them through the filters. By trapping them, they would no longer float in your air.
The number of air changes and the power of air intake influences the performance of air purifiers. Hence, some are designed to work in large spaces, while others are only for single-room applications.
At the same time, gauging the performance of air purifiers would also direct us to the type of filters that they are using. For instance, those that have HEPA filters are effective against microscopic contaminants that are 0.3 microns in size. Therefore, you can guarantee that these filters can help treat allergens and harmful pollutants that could affect your respiratory health. Over time, studies have shown that these air purifiers are effective in dealing with airborne impurities.
On the other hand, ozone generators are releasing ozone–a type of gas in the air. This is done through the ionization of oxygen molecules that exist in the air. Because of this process, triatomic O3 gas is formed. Of course, triatomic O3 is just technical jargon for ozone. Once ozone interacts with pollutants, the latter would be neutralized (by making them heavy).
Why Are Ozone Generators Unsafe For Air Cleaning?
The fundamentals of ozone generators aren’t that bad. Scientifically speaking, ozone has properties that allow it to attach to various contaminants. In fact, ozone has commercial applications, specifically in treating air and water in areas where there is no human traffic.
The only problem with these ozone generators is the amount of ozone that they need to create. These devices are required to generate large quantities of ozone that exceed safe levels. In a nutshell, ozone generators have to cause harmful effects before they can reduce the presence of contaminants in an area.
If you think about it, such a trade-off isn’t worth it. Hence, you should think first before you invest in these ozone generators. Even if a particular manufacturer claims that its ozone generator is safe, you shouldn’t trust it right away.
Ozone is a type of irritant. Once you have prolonged exposure to this gas, you will inevitably suffer from frequent headaches or breathing difficulties. It can also heighten your susceptibility to asthma. You would never want ozone in your house, especially if there are children or older adults with you.
In Summary
Between two air cleaning systems, it is evident that air purifiers generate better and safer effects than ozone generators. Hence, we always recommend that you go with air purifiers if you have indoor air problems. The technology behind these air purifiers isn’t complicated, but they are downright effective!
That’s it for now. If you have other inquiries, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.