| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/6/2008 11:48:56 PM | I have owned a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze for quite some, and have been very satisfied with it.
When I shopped for another this week , I was very surprised to learn that these air cleaners had been attacked by CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE, for:
1. Not being as effective as claimed by Sharper Image.
2. Out put of "unsafe levels of ozone"
The magazine was reported to have accused 4 other ionic air cleaners of having the same issues.
Sharper Image lost a suit agains the CRM, on the grounds that it really couldn't prove that it was as effective as claimed. However, I have read that CRM had to admit that it could not prove that the Ionice Breeze produced "unsafe levels of ozone.
Also, when I look a lower priced ionic air cleaners, I see that they claim to cover larger areas than the Ionic Breeze does.
Does anyone know much about that issue? Are their safer, more effective Ionic Air cleaners on the market? Is anyone else been satisfied with any Ionic Air Cleaners? Or disappointed?
I would like to hear about any experience or sources of knowlege anyone may have. | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/6/2008 11:52:57 PM | http://www.air-purifiers-america.com/?wm_vs_tag=webstores_ppc_google_airpurifiers&wm_lpID=3231674&wm_ctID=153&wm_kwID=3153364&wm_mtID=1&wm_content=0&wm_g_crID=917403984&wm_g_kw=air%20purifier%20reviews&wm_g_pcmt=&wm_g_cnt=0&gclid=COzmnIjmk5MCFQufHgodMk9-vg&wm_defaultURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.air-purifiers-america.com%2fconsultant.asp%3fwm_vs_tag%3dwebstores_ppc_google_airpurifiers&wm_kw=air+purifier+reviews&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=air+purifier+reviews&utm_campaign=air+purifiers
http://www.purifierideas.com/air-purifier-review.html?source=google&campain=purifierideas&group=airpurifiersreviews&gclid=CIeo86Xmk5MCFRUYFQodpzInew
http://www.airpurifiers.com/reviews.htm
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-air.html | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/9/2008 3:17:49 PM | Satx ---
Thanks very much for those useful links. The Breeze has NOT been proven to have unsafe ozone levels, and appears to do the best with mold and some other allergens --- but it has the lowest effective level re: dust, smoke.
I don't smoke, but may consider 2 kinds of cleaners in my house -- 1 for dust.
Thanks, agan!
TG | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/9/2008 7:51:23 PM | PS --
I did go ahead and buy the ozone guards for the older ionic breezes that I already have.
I got them on E-Bay for $15.95 each. They are supposed tow work --- don't know if they do or not -- I can only hope. | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/10/2008 9:42:42 AM | A guy at work who fancies himself as very technically adept was looking into building his own ionic air purifier and was scared away by the ozone issue.
Some ozone output is just an inherent part of the way the things work. I've been told by some that ANY ozone is bad for you but there's bad and then there's bad...
We're surrounded by stuff that creates an electrical discharge of some kind so we're all exposed to some ozone every day.
As someone who HAS been exposed to BAD levels of ozone... I will tell you if you can smell it get away from it!
I haven't been around that kind of purifier so I couldn't tell you anything about them. I am curious about the "ozone guards" though. Are they made out of metal?
The way it was explained to me by the electronic technicians at work... ozone is O3, 3 oxygen molecules bound together. And since oxygen is a binary molecule (it likes to be in pairs, not 3somes) that 3rd molecule causes all kinds of havoc. When metal is exposed to ozone it rusts up like crazy, and I know it will also eat up some kinds of rubber and plastic too... Those guys are a lot smarter than me so I'm paraphrasing, but the results are the same.
I was also told by someone else (and I wouldn't blame the ET's for skipping this part) that when ozone comes in contact with moisture, such as in your lungs..., it creates an acid similar to hydrochloric acid.
Like I said, I've been exposed to BAD levels...
I'm not knocking your air purifier, I'd like to have one myself. Just too pricey...
I'm ASSuming that if they produced really BAD levels of ozone they would have all been returned and they wouldn't be on the market anymore. But I could be wrong... | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/11/2008 7:00:07 PM | Von Erik ---
Thanks for your input on Ozone levels. That helped me a lot in making my decision. Actually, I can't smell anything when the breeze is on -- but it makes the air really crisp and fresh. The enitre unit is metal except for part of connections. I have had mine for four years, and it isn't rusted, so ozne must be miniscule.
The newer units come with ozone guards. I doubt they do very much good, but whoknows? I am shying away from the ones witht he ultra-violent lights, though, as I think they are the dangerous ones.
I got my breezes from E-Bay for an average of $100 each. (That was a LOT for me, but worth it to stop my suffering.) I have seen new ones in which are different brands in Walmart for as little as $50. They are a lot cheaper, but I don't know if they are effective or not. They claim to clear the the air within 1000 feet -- so maybe that is where the issue of them not being effective is.
Anyway, the ionic purifiers DON"T help much with dust -- mostly just mold, and airbourne irritants like pollen and spores.
What happened to you as a result of your exposure to ozone? Did it give you allergies, headaches? Permanent damage? (I hpe not!) | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/11/2008 7:33:19 PM | I'm sure the ozone output is safe enough... from your description you are smelling some, but very little. And the possible dangers from those ozone levels are outweighed by the benefits.
If there's bare metal, not aluminum or stainless or painted metal... and it's not rusting, then there shouldn't be a problem.
I was curios about the ozone guards and found this site, copy n paste...
http://www.air-purifier-power.com/ionic-breeze-purifier.html
The part about the half-life of ground level ozone was interesting...
I really don't know how permanent the damage is... I do know that when I'm around that piece of equipment it's only as long as I can hold my breath... otherwise my lungs and throat immediately start hurting..
I've had more exposure than anyone else out there because for a couple of years I was the only one who could keep the POS running right... constantly being RIGHT THERE and making adjustments... sure regret it now..
I really shouldn't go into detail, don't know who reads this... management in denial, non union, I need my job...
just letting it slide and keeping my distance.... | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/11/2008 8:34:22 PM | If you can smell the ozone (ozone is odorless), it's too much. :)
If you cannot smell the ozone but it's there, it' too much.
Isn't there any other way to clean indoor air other than introducing ozone ? Swapping supposedly polluted air for toxic air doesn't sound like much of a swap.
http://www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/OzoneWarnings.htm
http://www.allergyconsumerreview.com/air-quality-ozone.html
We're bombarded with the need to take anti-oxidant foods and supplements, but there are corps selling toxic O3 generators for homes and bedrooms, to provide a powerful oxidant for your lungs?
The FDA, yet again, says "these products are OK because they poison you just a little bit". :) | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/12/2008 11:32:59 AM | Well, I can certainly agree with you about the FDA -- they are the ones who approve prescription drugs -- with HORRIBLE side effects. Garbage -- instead of food. and heaven knows what else! They run a big racket, catering to big business -- and are not to be trusted in the least.
Of course they do outlaw some things that are REALLY bad, so i guess they are useful for that!
thanks, too for the additional sites -- I will check them out. | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/12/2008 11:34:06 AM | Von Erik --
What does ozone smell like? | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/12/2008 12:18:26 PM |
What does ozone smell like?
satx is right.. in normal levels we are used to it's odorless... it's oxygen, just 3 molecules. when I said you were probably smelling it I was going by your discription of..... crispness.. And that may very well be because the air is clean.
I really don't know how to describe it... that ... crispness is intensified a few thousand times to where it's not really a clean crispness but more of a bite (if THAT makes any sense). Very sharp, burning, without there being a real smell like you would associate with a chemical... all of that is more of an impression than a smell... (and I KNOW that doesn't make any sense...)
That is followed by an aftertaste that is chemicalish... like burning metal... very nasty. I don't know if that part is actually the ozone or if it's a byproduct of what the arc is doing to the material or equipment surfaces.. or may even be the smell of my nasal passages corroding....
I've been near a lightning strike and "smelled" it without that nasty aftertaste, but not as intense.
LOL, don't know if any of that was any help.... but it was quite a challenge trying to put that smell into words, thank you...
If you had to ask then I'm sure your Ionic Breeze is safe enough.
You might check out that link I sent and read it some more.... maybe you can decypher it better. | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/13/2008 7:57:47 PM | Von Erik and Satx --
Read all the links you all have provided, and and the Ionic breeze on-line manual. I looked up the "ozone guard" in the manual, and it says that it cuts the ozone out-put "significantly" by converting the ozone back to oxygen. I also learned the large breeze is for about 500 sq ft areas.
Also learned that the EPA limit for ground level ozone is 50 ppb or .05 ppm. the breeze is supposed to stay below that. also, if you keep the unit clean and your house dusted and vaccuumed, ozone output should be significantly lower.
Even if they are not the best idea, I feel LOT better with the breezes on, and I just can't give them up. So I turned them down to match the room size and ordered the "ozone guards".
With the units turned down, I really don't feel like I am missing anything.
Thanks very much for the good info you all provided -- at least you kept me a little safer.
I do understand that newer ones are coming out with less ozone output later. Maybe I will replace them when I can. | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/13/2008 8:03:01 PM | Glad I could help... I'm a veritable walking encyclopedia when it comes to damaging yourself...
edit.... er... limping encyclopedia.... | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/14/2008 6:20:14 PM | HEPA Filters in the Home Found to Significantly Improve Overall Health
http://medheadlines.com/2008/05/13/hepa-filters-in-the-home-found-to-significantly-improve-overall-health/ | |
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| Ionic Breeze
Posted: 5/15/2008 9:18:58 AM | These are ususally available in hotels where prior guests left unpleasant odors and they may be used without you even knowing it. I have one and if I remember correctly the directions basically said "use it for x amount of time and turn it off". It is not designed to be used while you are piddling around within the house. I turn it on after I cook, clean (stir up dust) or if I am going to the grocery and will be returning soon.
I think one should look at it like one does with automatic bug sprays. Don't stay in the room / house unless you want to be leggs up.
There was a "scare" a while back about lead from burning candles. Not an issue.
Unless you huff a burning wick with lead in it - no issue. Same with aresol cans.
One can huff oneself into a permanent state of duh. | |
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