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The Use of Ozone in Occupied Spaces |
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Questions are occasionally raised about the effects of ozone on indoor air quality (IAQ). Now, thanks to multilevel marketing, we have seen a dramatic increase in the use of ozone generators in occupied spaces. Often, these units are brought into a building by allergy-prone individuals, presumably to reduce their symptoms. Research, however, shows that this isn't always the best decision.
Whether ozone helps or hurts the indoor environment has not always been easy to determine. Recent research, however, has shown that, at best, ozone does little or nothing to control contaminants, and at worst, can actually degrade a space's indoor air quality. All of this occurs even though manufacturers insist that their devices are "the answer" to almost any IAQ problem.
Two recent scientific studies have added to the volumes of literature which advise against introducing ozone into any building's environment. Most importantly, they have shown that when ozone combines with some pollutants commonly found in indoor spaces, it can actually create other pollutants which are harmful to building occupants. Some of the new compounds which are formed can also adversely affect office furnishings or equipment - especially sensitive electronic equipment which is more susceptible to the corrosive effects of those compounds.
One example of a chemical reaction involves the chemical d-limonene. (The d-limonene, a natural product derived from citrus fruits, creates the sweet citrus-like odor found in many cleaning compounds and bathroom deodorants.) By itself, researchers said that d-limonene isn't necessarily irritating. When it combines with ozone, however, it can form formaldehyde and other irritating compounds, which are far worse than the d-limonene itself. Unfortunately, people who might purchase and bring ozone generators into their workspace think they're helping matters, when just the opposite is occurring.
Another and perhaps more important issue is that many of the people who purchase and use ozone generators are already experiencing health problems. Introducing ozone into office spaces can risk creating more irritating pollutants, and perhaps add to those adverse health symptoms. When such a situation does occur, complaints from occupants may simply state that "the building is making them sick." |
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