CARB Bans Sale of Ozone Air Purifiers
Associated Press, 9/28/07
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to ban the sale of ozone air purifiers, citing evidence that the machines can pose significant health risks. Beginning in 2009, the regulations will ban the sale of those purifiers that produce more than 0.50 parts per million in ozone, a threshold that the regulators said can be harmful to human health.
Ionic air purifiers emit ozone, one of the primary components in smog that has been found to cause coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and chest pains. High levels of ozone have also been linked to the development of asthma and are especially dangerous to those in poor health or those with lung or heart disease. While some ionic purifiers emit ozone as a byproduct (including ionic purifiers), others produce it intentionally, claiming that it can reduce levels of indoor air pollutants. According to research conducted by CARB, these devices could produce indoor levels of ozone that are several times higher than the state’s outdoor health standard.
"People with respiratory problems need to be protected from ozone," Mary Nichols, chair of the Air Resources Board, said in a statement. "Consumers bought these devices hoping to reduce suffering for themselves or a loved one, only to make the situation worse."
To read more, visit: http://www.mercurynews.com:80/news/ci_7026313?source=emailMedia Contact: Dave Low
(408) 998-5865, david@lungsrus.org