Ozone, air purifiers and asthma
Question:
8/10/2020
I'm aware that A/C units add on ionizer modules can create ozone and thus be detrimental to asthmatics. However, I have a patient that says this is true for the older units but the newer units ionize the air without causing ozone. Is there any truth to this?
Answer:
I looked online and in Pubmed and was not able to find any detailed information about certain brands. I asked Dr. David Peden who has an expertise in this area for his thoughts:
"Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone while they are operating. Ozone is known to exacerbate asthma. Manufacturers of many newer models have stated that their units do not produce ozone or other reactive oxygen species. There is little data regarding ozone generation of these models and it seems probable that these units do not generate these gasses. It is also important to note that there are no health data addressing either adverse effects or health benefits associated with these units. Most claims are based on the direct generation of ozone or impact on bacteria and other biological agents. "
Hope this is helpful.
David Peden, MD, FAAAAI
Andrew Murphy, MD, FAAAAI