Indoor Air Pollution: The Pulmonary Effects of Ozone-generating Air Purifiers and Other Household Devices

Overview

Objectives/Goals Although air purifiers are advertised to improve breathing, some air purifiers emit harmful ozone. This study examines the hypothesis that ozone-generating air purifiers and other ozone-generating household devices may impair pulmonary function. Year 1 of this study focused on the pulmonary effects of ozone-generating air purifiers. In light of the alarming findings of Year 1, I expanded the study 4-fold in Year 2 in order to determine if other ozone-generating/ionizing household devices also pose a pulmonary hazard. Methods/Materials 8 experiments were conducted over 2 years. In the 2 ozone emissions experiments, the amount of ozone generated from several types of air purifiers, food purifiers, and assorted ionizing household devices was measured with an ozone sensor. In 6 pulmonary experiments, a microspirometer and a pulse oximeter were used to measure the pulmonary function of human subjects before and after exposure to various types of air purifiers, hair blow dryers, and a food purifier. Results Some air purifiers and a food purifier produced ozone concentrations far higher than a Stage 3 smog alert. A two-hour exposure to an ozone-generating room air purifier caused a statistically significant drop in pulmonary function among asthmatic subjects, but not for the whole study sample (p<0.05). There was a mean decrease of 11% in the FEV1/FVC ratio among the asthmatics. A three-hour exposure to a personal air purifier caused a statistically significant reduction in pulmonary function among the whole study sample as well as the asthmatic subset by 9.6% and 22.8%, respectively (p<0.05). One asthmatic individual experienced a 29% drop accompanied by an acute asthma attack. A food purifier caused a reduction in the FEV1/FVC ratio of 4.2% and 9.6%, respectively, among the whole study sample and the asthmatic subset. Conclusions/Discussion An ozone-generating food purifier produced ozone levels rivaling those of ozone-generating air purifiers. The ozone-generating air purifiers and food purifier tested had a negative effect on pulmonary function, especially among those with asthma and allergies. The new research on ozone-generating food purifiers further corroborates the pattern seen in my earlier findings with regard to air purifiers. This original research in Year 2 suggests that the California Air Resources Board should consider expanding their new regulation to include ozone-generating food purifiers.

Awards (1)

• Second Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2008 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry S1509

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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