Is there a health risk from the ionic air purifiers?

I think air purifiers are soposed to reduce health risks..but i wouldn't purshase them at all..theres only one natural purifier and that's household plants..i think they work alot better..buy alot of those but don't over do it..its ALOT more healthy for you and looks nice aswell.

AnswerYES, there is a health risk. Ionic air purifiers produce ozone, a known human toxin (see links below). According to the US EPA, ozone can: cause acute respiratory problems; aggravate Asthma; cause significant temporary decreases in lung capacity of 15 to over 20 percent in some healthy adults; cause inflammation of lung tissue; lead to hospital admissions and emergency room visits [10 to 20 percent of all summertime respiratory-related hospital visits in the northeastern U.S. are associated with ozone pollution]; and impair the body's immune system defenses, making people more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis and pneumonia.

Additionally, ionic air purifiers don't work very well. A HEPA filter is much better (more effective) and is cheaper.

See these sites for more info on ozone: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/naaqsfin/o3health.HTML http://www.vcapcd.org/health.htm