NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Effect of an ozone-generating air-purifying device on reducing concentrations of formaldehyde in air.

Esswein EJ; Boeniger MF

Appl Occup Environ Hyg 1994 Feb; 9(2):139-146

https://doi.org/10.1080/1047322X.1994.10388285

00219157

The ability of ozone (10028156) generated by an air purifying device (APD) to reduce airborne formaldehyde (50000) concentrations was evaluated. An Alpine Air Products Model C150 APD was evaluated. It operated on standard household current and generated ozone by charging a pair of ceramic and metal mesh plates located within the machine. Formaldehyde was generated in the air within a 0.52 cubic meter chamber using formaldehyde embalming solution. The rate of change in the formaldehyde concentrations with time inside the chamber were monitored. After verifying that the APD did generate ozone, ozone from the unit was introduced into the chamber containing formaldehyde, and changes in concentration of formaldehyde were monitored for 90 minutes. The baseline formaldehyde concentrations produced inside the chamber by the embalming solution peaked at 2.6 parts per million (ppm) and decreased to 0.5ppm over 90 minutes. The cumulative average formaldehyde concentration was 1.3ppm. The APD produced an average ozone concentration of 0.5ppm. When ozone from the APD was introduced into the chamber, no decrease in formaldehyde concentration over the 90 minute period was detected. The authors conclude that under the experimental conditions ozone does not appear to have any effect on reducing formaldehyde concentrations in air. Because of its toxic nature, the use of ozone to improve the quality of indoor air does not appear to be warranted.

NIOSH-Author; Formaldehydes; Indoor-air-pollution; Oxidizers; Control-methods; Air-purification; Toxic-gases; Laboratory-testing; Industrial-hygiene; Indoor-environmental-quality

AOEHE9

10028-15-6; 50-00-0

19940201

Journal Article

1994

2

1047-322X

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene