The EnviroKlenz UV air purifier is an air purification system that uses germicidal ultraviolet (UV C) radiation, but this light has been tested to determine that it does not produce ozone in the air. This is in contrast to other popular air purifiers that do produce ozone. So why do UV-C air purifiers produce ozone? It is because at certain wavelengths, UV light breaks down oxygen (O) into atomic oxygen (O), which binds to another oxygen (O2+O), forming ozone (or O3). This is the same process seen with air ionizers.
The only difference is the method for breaking down oxygen into atomic oxygen. Jones notes that not only are UV air purifiers unlikely to be effective, but they could also be dangerous. On the one hand, if they are not properly coated, they have the potential to produce ozone, which is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3). In reality, this can be a harmful air pollutant.
In addition, manufacturers of air purifiers often do not explain what type of UV technology they used, and some of these technologies produce high volumes of ozone. Ozone is not an effective or safe way to eliminate airborne pathogens. Since UV lights are not effective purification methods and could generate ozone, it's best to avoid air filters with this technology or turn them off. It can be in a plug-in portable air purifier or as part of a whole house air purifier that is connected to your HVAC system.
Air ionizers, UV-C air purifiers, and ozone generators all produce ozone due to a chemical process that breaks down oxygen (O) into atomic oxygen (O). The general difference between them is that ozone generators produce ozone on purpose, whereas air ionizers and air purifiers with UV-C light produce ozone only as a by-product of a chemical reaction. If your home has recently been exposed to ozone emissions from an air purifier in this indoor space, you may be curious to know how long this ozone will stay in the air in your home. In general, however, ozone created from air purifiers will generally be produced when UV lights or the high-voltage corona mechanism works to convert oxygen (O) molecules to ozone (O) in the air purification device.
As you've learned throughout this post, only a few types of air purifiers produce ozone: air ionizers, UV-C air purifiers, and ozone generators. The use of UV lights in air purifiers has become a popular addition, especially with the increased risks of exposure to pathogens in the indoor air of a home or other indoor space. The following information provides the list of CARB certified air cleaning devices and additional information on how to choose a safe and effective air filter. In addition, the UV C lights contained in this air purifier are able to effectively shine on the collection of microorganisms, such as mold spores, bacteria and viruses, which are collected on top of the hospital-grade HEPA filter, located below the UV C lamps inside this air purifier.
The use of UV lights in air purifiers has become a popular addition due to its ability to provide the air purifier with the ability to effectively destroy airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mold spores that are captured in the air. Some air purifiers use different types of UV lights such as UVA, UVB or UVC light which will aid in the process of mitigating airborne pathogens and microorganisms; however some of these types of UV light will produce ozone in the air which will be determined by the production of UV light wavelengths. The important thing to know here is that not all air purifiers produce ozone; only specific types of air purifiers do. Air purifiers are appliances that can be placed in an indoor space such as a home to help eradicate and control levels of air pollution from the environment.
While air purifiers will work effectively to trap and contain contaminants which will allow mitigation of these contaminants to occur within the interior of the air cleaner; some of these air purifiers will also release negative by-products into the air to achieve this removal of pollutants such as ozone gas. These intentionally ozone-releasing air purifiers work by releasing ozone molecules into the air that will float in the airspace and adhere to the pollutants they encounter such as airborne particles chemicals mold viruses bacteria and odors. When these airborne pollutants enter your home they can get trapped in stagnant air and create compromised indoor air quality levels in this personal indoor space which can cause many potential health problems for people exposed to this polluted air for long periods.
