6 Surprising Sources of Air Pollution In

Your Home
Indoor air pollution often makes the air inside homes
more unhealthy to breathe than air outdoors.
By Dan Shapley
The most widely quoted statistic about air quality is this: The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor
air can be two- to five-times more polluted than the air outdoors. And while the EPA is responsible for cracking down
on outdoor pollution -- the smog, ozone and other chemicals that spew from tailpipes and smokestacks -- protecting
the air indoors is largely the responsibility of homeowners.
And while many sources of indoor air are fairly obvious and well-known -- second-hand smoke, carbon monoxide and
radon, to name the most prominent, and deadly -- there are more insidious, secret sources of pollution that any
concerned homeowner or parent should consider. Below are some of the most surprising. For tips on reducing indoor
air pollution from these and other sources, see 25 Indoor Air Quality Tips from the American Lung Association.

12.10.2008 1:21 PM
63 Potentially Hazardous "Air Purifiers"
Consumer Alert! Before Buying a Home Air Purifier,
Consult This List
By Dan Shapley
The California Air Resources Board has issued a consumer alert warning consumers against buying products labeled
as air purifiers that intentionally produce ozone.
Government authorities have for years been cracking down on industrial sources of volatile organic compounds, and
on tailpipe and smokestack emissions of nitrogen oxides. Why? Because in the air on hot summer days, they form
ozone, which a growing body of research shows scars the lungs, can cause asthma and other lung illness, and even
damage the circulatory system and heart.
Do you want a source of ozone in your living room, when environmental and health authorities warn against breathing
even small amounts outdoors?
As the California Air Resources Board puts it:
"Consumers may unknowingly purchase these 'ozone generators' from advertisers touting the so-called benefits of
'activated oxygen' that can make the air inside your home 'as fresh as the outdoors after a thunderstorm.' Ozone, a
well-known component of smog, has been extensively studied and the harmful effects well documented.
Ozone generators are capable of emitting enough ozone indoors to far exceed outdoor health standards and can
intentionally create the equivalent of a Stage 1 smog alert inside your home. These devices pump a well-known air
pollutant into people's homes putting everyone at risk, especially the most vulnerable among us, including the young,
elderly and infirm.
The devices can produce potentially harmful levels of ozone that can worsen asthma, cause serious lung
inflammation, decrease lung function, and lead to hospitalization for respiratory conditions, emergency room visits for
asthma, and increased school absences.
Recently the sale of these devices became regulated by the ARB (in California, not in other states) in order to protect
public health. Air cleaners are currently being tested to assure they do not emit harmful levels of ozone; however,
testing of air cleaners by certified laboratories is expected to take up to two years, during which time high ozone-
emitting devices can still be sold. For that reason, the ARB recommends consumers avoid the purchase of any air
cleaner for home or office that intentionally emits ozone.
The best and most effective way to avoid indoor air pollution problems is to remove the sources of the pollution or
prevent emissions to begin with. Improving fresh-air ventilation is also helpful. Information on these approaches)
Persons still wishing to use an air cleaner should look for models that use high-efficiency pleated filters, known as
HEPA filters, or electrostatic precipitators that do not emit high amounts of ozone.

63 Potentially Hazardous 'Air Purifiers' to Avoid

1. Air-Zone (All models)
XT-120, XT-240, XT-400, XT-800, XT-2000, XT-4000, XT-6000, XT-14000, XT-28000
2. Airdow (ADA Air Purifier and Air Cleaner (Xiamen) Co., Ltd)
ADA 311, 377, 388, 705, 706, 708, 717, 728, 729, 737, 739, 767
3. Allied Products/Biofeedback Instrument Corporation
Kleen-Air King II Model 1004A, 1004, 1004 SP, 1007
4. Alpine
Living Air Classic, XL-15, Breeze AT, LA1, LA2, Peak, Flair, Fresh Air, Personal Air Purifier
5. Applied Ozone Systems
CS-1, CS-2
6. APSNA - Air & Water Purification Systems North America (All models)
FA1, C3, BAT, F2
7. Aqua Sun Ozone International
Model-(100, 202A, 206A, 217A, 308, 700, 5000), Model-2500/Kleenair, Model-2500R/Kleenair
8. Aran Aqua Pollution Control Systems
SS-Series Aranizers (SS-1, SS-3X, SS-4X, SS-6, SS-8, SS-10)
NS-Series Aranizers (NS-3, NS-5, NS-6, NS-8, NS-10)
9. Better Living
Sun Aire Air Purifier
10. BioTech Research
EdenPURE Area Air Purifier, EdenPURE Deluxe Air Purifier
11. Biozone (All models)
50, 100, 102, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, Travel Aire 50V, Travel Aire 250T
12. Breathe Pure
QOZO-100, QOZO-500
13. Capital Vanguard Co., Ltd
HV-(107, 109, 202, 202A, 203A, 205, 206A, 207, 207A, 210A, 217A, 308), HV-202I+O3
14. Carspa Technology Co., Ltd
Car0100, Car0300, Car0400
15. Cliff Scott Enterprises (All models)
CSE 100, CSE 101
16. Codyson
CD-100, CD-120, CD-210, CD-200, CD-2120, CD-2200
17. Crystal Air (All models)
CA45-2, DC Pro (200, 450, 970), Multizone 280, Pro (420, 700, 3400-1, 3600-1), UV Pro 550
18. Csonka (All models)
Original AirCare, Super AirCare, Pro AirCare, Automotive AirCare, Facility Control System AirCare, Car
Fresh AirCare, Desk Fresh AirCare, Turbo Fresh AirCare
19. Detail King
PT-109
20. EcoQuest (Most models)
Fresh Air, Living Air Classic, Breeze AT, Flair, Fresh Air To Go, EcoBox
21. Ecozone
H-50, XL-250 SH, TS-50, M10
22. Ez-com System, Inc.
EA-8705, EW-300, EW600, EW-900, GW-250
23. Enaly (Most models)
OZX-A200B, OZX-A500B, OZX-A3500, OZX-A700, OZX-7000B
24. Fresh-Aire (Triatomic Environmental, Inc.)
T-30UV
25. HealthWay Home Products, Inc.
Healthway Air Deodorizer HW-DE01
26. Hefei Sensing Electronic Co., Ltd.
Ozone Air Purifier
27. Imperial Products
Air Fresh G-100, Moonland Desktop Ozone Purifier, SL-002 High Output Ozone Air Purifier, XJ-1000 Ionic
Air Purifier, XJ-3000B Professional Ozone Air Purifier
28. Jenesco (All models)
DC-12, PT101, PT101W, PT109, PT109W, PRO-4, PRO-8, FM-1,FM-2
29. King Air & Water Purification Corporation
See Allied Products
30. Lenntech (All models)
Series 3000
31. LightningAir
LA-1XP/2500, LightningAir Plus 5PX series, LA-2SPX
32. Longevity Resources
ZipZone, EnviroPro (420, 700, 3400, 3600, 3600-5)
33. Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd.
ION737, AR-150, CA-320, CA-721
34. Nanbai
N206a, N208
35. Natural Air Natural Air
36. Nature's Air
NA-2
37. O3ozone
DC Pro 450, Pro 700, DC Pro 970, UV Pro 550
38. Odatus (All models)
Odatus II
39. Oxytech Research (All models)
MGA-500, MGA-1000, MGA-2000, MGA-3500
40. Ozomax, Ltd.
Ozo Fresh 30
41. Ozone Environmental Technologies
Uvonair (1000, 3000, 5000)
42. Ozone Solutions (All models)
MZ-280, MZ-450, MZ-950, OMZ-420, OMZ-700, OMZ-1000, OUV-550, OMZ-2500, OMZ-3400
43. Peaceful Breeze
Small Room Air Purifier Model 388
 44. Peak Pure Air
Peak O3 Air Purifier
45. Prozone (All Models)
PZ5-A, PZ2-2A, The Prozone (Purifier), Whole House Twister, PZ6-AIR, Whole House Air and Surface
Purifier
46. Pure 'n Natural (Certain models)
OZ-2000 ( Odor Zapper ), Sani-Mate AS-250-B, NA50 Deodorizer/Air Freshener
47. QCH Tradelink
Medi-Aire
48. Quantum Pure Aire
AccuAire ALS-750, ALS-1500, ALS-3000, RMS-100, ClassicAire (CS-1000, CS-2000, CS-3500), XP-350
49. Queenaire Technologies, Inc.
QT Storm, QT Thunder, QT Thunder-24, QT Tornado, QT Cyclone, Newaire Plugin
50. Rain Fresh Air
RFA5000, RFA3500
51. RainbowAir (All models)
Newaire Plug In, Activator (250, 500, 1000)
52. Shenyang Bodycare Ozone Research Insitute
UV_Portable, UV_Wall Mount
53. SpringAir (Certain models)
CS-1, CS-2
54. Sun Aire
see Better Living
55. Surround Air (Two models only)
Multi-Tech XJ-3000C, Multi-Tech II XJ-3000D
56. Taoture International Enterprises, Inc.
OZX-A200B, OZX-A500B
57. TriMed AirMedic
SBR-1, SBH-1, C12-1, C12-U1
58. TriStar Enterprises, LLC
PureStar XJ-3000D
59. Trump Electronic Company
TP-2, TP-3, TP-4, TP-5, TP-6, TCB-913GC
60. Ultra-Pure (Real Spirit USA, Inc.)
UP-988, UP-899, Pet-Pro 3800
61. Windchaser (Certain models)
IF-1, IF-2, IMC-1
62. Zhuhai Large Horse Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd.
HMA (300, 300/A, 300/A02, 300/H01, 300/H02, 300/RH, 300/RH01, 300/RH02, 600/O3)
63. Zontec
Perfect Air Plug-In, PA 100, PA 200, PA 300, O3 Air Purification System
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Comments | Add a comment

2 comments so far.. 1
comser13 wrote:
AIR PURIFIERS-BAD ONES CREATING OZONE
Well, once again I have to keep remining people they need to look at the almighty Shaklee Corp. They have been
selling the AIRSOURCE 3000 for at least 5 years. No filters to ever buy. Stay tuned this year (2009) for the new "GET
CLEAN AIR PURIFYER" which will surpass even the AirSource.

2. Carpets

What's so bad about a rug?

First, the obvious: Carpets harbor dirt, dust mites, pet dander, dirt, fungus and other unhealthy particles that can
irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks or send some people into allergic fits.
Less obvious is the presence of suspect chemicals used to manufacture carpets that "off gas" and can fill the room.
The most common is formaldehyde, which will not only irritate the nose and throat, trigger asthma attacks and cause
other lung damage, but could, based on laboratory studies on animals, cause cancer, according to the EPA.
Carpets are concerning enough that the American Lung Association recommends avoiding them completely. (If you
already have one, the association recommends using a HEPA (high efficiency particle air) vacuum.) There are
carpets on the market that are made with nontoxic materials (though they can still harbor dirt, dust and dander like
any other rug).

3. Paint
Looks good on the walls -- but what does it do to your lungs ... or your brain, for that matter.
Lead paint is a fairly well-known danger, 30-odd years after the U.S. banned it. Older homes, however, still have lead
paint on the walls, and the deteriorating, cracking and peeling paint can produce lead-tainted dust that can easily get
on children's hands ... and childrens' hands, as any parent knows, are a remarkably efficient delivery method for
getting anything to their mouths. Lead can cause permanent brain damage, so maintaining old paint is critically
important. (See The Daily Green's 6 Lead-Poisoning Prevention Tips for more on protecting your children from this
hazard.)
But old lead paint isn't the only, or most surprising way paint can damage indoor air quality. New paints release
volatile organic compounds that may have a range of subtle health effects if breathed even in low doses over a long
period of time. Ventilation is one key to reduce the harm from off-gassing paints, but the better choice is selecting a
low-VOC paint in the first place.
Hobby paints and glues can be just as bad, or often worse, so avoid using solvents, glues or paints indoors. If there's
no other option, go overboard ventilating.
Photo credit: Mark Evans / Istock

4. Cleaning Products
Spray bottles, sponges and the cleansers that break up dirt are supposed to leave your home cleaner, but many can
also introduce unhealthy compounds into the air.
The first thing that must be said is: Never mix a chlorine-based cleanser with an acid-based cleanser, like vinegar or
ammonia. Don't even clean the same surface with one and then the other. The result of mixing these two cleansers is
potent -- often deadly -- chlorine gas. That's the same chlorine gas that ties counter-terrorism experts up in knots. You
don't want it in your house.
The larger point, though, is that many off-the-shelf cleansers contain powerful and often toxic solvents, antibiotic
pesticides and other nasty chemicals. Chlorine is poisonous. Many household cleansers are unnecessarily
hazardous, given that simple recipes with vinegar, baking soda and the like will do just as good a job without any of
the risks.
To try nontoxic cleaning for yourself, see www.shaklee.net/
Photo credit: Istock / Photo Illustration by Gloria Dawson

5. Cabinets and Furniture

Cabinets, furniture, shelving, countertops and any other household item made with pressed wood is likely stuck
together with glue that contains formaldehyde.
As with rugs, the formaldehyde in the glue will "off-gas" over time, releasing small amounts into the air in your home.
To avoid formaldehyde, avoid pressed wood products unless you know they are free from formaldehyde. For some
options, see The Daily Green's guides to green office furniture and countertops.
Photo credit: Stockxpert

6. The Kitchen Stove

We all know that ventilating a bathroom is important to maintain good indoor air quality. Failing to turn on the fan after
a few hot showers, and mildew and mold will inevitably sprout. Ventilating the kitchen is also important, though,
according to the American Lung Association.
Just the simple act of cooking on the stove, particularly a gas stove, can actually introduce unsafe levels of nitrogen
dioxide into the air, increasing the risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory illness. Also a concern is simple steam,
which can do the same work as moisture in the bathroom at promoting unwanted mold growth.
The solution is simple: Eat out at McDonald's every night. (Please don't take us seriously: fast food diets have been
linked to more than obesity; too many burgers and fries may cause asthma in children.) The better solution is simply
to properly ventilate your stove so that the exhaust vents to the outdoors.
Photo credit: Stockbyte / Getty Images