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newsrel -- Avoid Dangerous Air Cleaning Machines

Posted: 17 Dec 2007 13:16:02
Please consider the following ARB warning to consumers to avoid
air purifiers that produce dangerous levels of ozone.  You can
review the release online here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr121707.htm
Thank You
Dimitri Stanich
ARB/PIO


______________________________________________________________


Release 07-62
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2007
	  	  	
Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

Consumer product alert: Don't purchase high ozone air cleaners

Using ozone to clean indoor air is worse than no cleaner at all

SACRAMENTO: The California Air Resources Board is warning
consumers this holiday season to not purchase air purifiers or
air cleaning devices that intentionally generate ozone.
Consumers may unknowingly purchase these "ozone generators" from
advertisers touting the so-called benefits of "activated oxygen'
that can make the air inside your home "as fresh as the air
after a thunderstorm."

Some ozone generators produce potentially harmful levels of
ozone that can worsen asthma, cause serious lung inflammation,
decrease lung function, and lead to hospitalization for
respiratory conditions, emergency room visits for asthma, and
increased school absences. Ozone, a well known component of
outdoor smog, has been extensively studied and the harmful
effects well documented. Ozone generators are capable of
emitting enough ozone indoors to far exceed outdoor health
standards, equivalent to intentionally creating a Stage 1 smog
alert level inside your home.

The sale of these devices will be regulated by the Air Resources
Board beginning in early 2008 with devices being tested to assure
they do not emit harmful levels of ozone. Testing of air cleaners
by certified laboratories, however, is expected to take up to two
years, during which time such device can continue to be sold. For
that reason, the Air Resources Board recommends that consumers
avoid purchasing any air cleaner for home or office that
intentionally emits ozone. A list of air cleaners to avoid is
available at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/o3g-list.htm
.

The best and most effective way to avoid indoor air pollution
problems is to remove the sources of the pollution or prevent
emissions to begin with. Improving fresh-air ventilation is also
helpful. Information on these approaches is available here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/indoor.htm. Persons still
wishing to use an air cleaner should look for models that use
high efficiency pleated filters, known as HEPA filters, or
electrostatic precipitators. Ratings for these are available in
Consumer reports articles and at the Association of Home
Appliances' Clean Air Delivery Rate directory, accessible here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/ozone.htm . ARB's fact
sheet entitled " Air Cleaning devices for the Home: Frequently
Asked Questions" is also available at the at site and can help
you select the appropriate air cleaner for you needs.

Again, these devices pump a known air pollutant into people's
homes putting everyone at risk, especially the most vulnerable
amongst us, the young, the elderly and infirm.

Further information about ozone-emitting air cleaners and the
Air Resources Board regulation visit
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners/aircleaners.htm,
or call the ARB indoor air hotline at 916-322-8282.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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