Health Canada
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Ozone
Ground-level ozone is a component of urban smog. It can enter the home from the outdoors and potentially cause respiratory problems. Health Canada does not recommend the use of air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone.
What is Ozone?
Ozone: Good up high, bad nearby!
Ozone (O3) is a gas that exists in both the upper atmosphere and at ground level. It can be good or bad for your health, depending on its location. Ozone is one of the naturally occurring trace gases that make up the upper atmosphere and the ozone layer which keep the planet warm, and protects us from the sun's UV rays. Ozone is indispensable for life on Earth.
But ozone can also be formed at ground level when sunlight interacts with pollution, and this is a key ingredient to urban smog. This ozone can enter your indoor air from the outside.
What Are the Health Risks of Ozone?
Ground-level ozone can cause a variety of symptoms in healthy people and people with respiratory problems, including the following:
- Coughing;
- Chest discomfort;
- Reduced lung function;
- Shortness of breath; and
- Irritation of eye, nose and throat.
How Do I Prevent or Fix the Problem?
- Close your windows when outdoor ozone levels are high, especially during the afternoon when ozone is at its peak.
- No ozone generators! Health Canada advises consumers against using ozone generators in their homes.
Why Use an Air Cleaner?
Air cleaners are designed to help remove impurities from the air. They can be useful, but they can't remove all sources of pollutants and are therefore not appropriate as the only means of improving indoor air quality.
There are several types of air cleaners on the market. When selecting an air cleaner for your home, Health Canada advises against using those types that are designed to intentionally generate ozone - because of concerns about possible health effects from exposure to higher levels of ozone. At lower concentrations, which are known to be safe for human health, ozone offers little value in terms of removing indoor air pollutants.
Devices that intentionally generate ozone include portable "bread box" size units that plug into the wall, along with smaller battery-powered units. These devices have one or more control buttons and most are sold door to door, rather than through retail outlets.
See "Tips for Healthy Indoor Air" for more information.
