Indoor air quality and treatment
Although not fully understood, migraines are a common problem affecting over 39 million Americans. Doctor’s may not know the exact cause of chronic migraines, but there are some common triggers. Weather and air quality are the two triggers that seem to be the most common.
Choosing the right solution to improve indoor air quality and decrease the occurrence of migraines is important to your successful management of your condition. If you choose the wrong air purifier, you could release ozone that makes migraine frequency and symptoms worse instead of better.
If you want the benefit of clean air without harmful migraine-producing ozone, your best options are a HEPA filter or a bipolar ionization air purifier that doesn’t put off ozone. We offer the iWave-R, which is very effective at improving indoor air quality with no maintenance costs. Here’s what you need to know to make an educated decision.
How many air purifiers “clean” the air—and produce ozone
Some “air purifiers” are actually ozone generators. The ozone does clean many allergens out of the air, but can easily exceed safe levels. So, the quick answer to “Are ozone air purifiers dangerous?” is a resounding yes. But most air purifiers aren’t ozone generators, rather they are referred to as air ionizers or ionic air purifiers.
So are air ionizers dangerous? It depends on the technology used, and they are not all the same. A few advanced models don’t omit any ozone, such as our bipolar-ionization iWave air purifier. Although many models today do emit relatively low levels of ozone, it could still be dangerous under the wrong conditions.
Ionic air purifier dangers
Almost all ionic air purifiers generate negative ions that cling to positively charged particles in the air. Some of these products have collection plates meant to collect the larger particles as they come back through the unit, but most allow the clinging particles to simply fall where they may. The allergens are out of the air, but still pose a threat resting on carpets, drapes, or even people. Nothing is really being cleaned, the particles just become too heavy to remain airborne. This can give those with asthma or allergies a false sense of security and an increased occurrence of allergy related migraines.
In addition to not really being effective at reducing allergens, these air purifiers can cause more harm than good. The PCO (photo catalytic oxidation) technology’s ionization process works much the same as naturally occurring lightning (also known to trigger migraines). Through the generation of negative ions only it creates ozone and releases it into your indoor air.
Can an air purifier make you sick?
Besides inducing migraines, side effects of ozone ionizer air purifier side effects include new or worsening respiratory illness or asthma, which can cause symptoms of shortness of breath or chest pain/tightness. When ozone is first present in the air it might cause a tickle or sudden throat irritation.
Other less common side effects of ozone occur with prolonged exposure and may include:
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
You may even be able to smell ozone if you have brought a new air purifier in the house. Ozone smells like the outdoor air after a nearby lightning strike, and is usually noticeable at low levels. However, prolonged exposure can cause you to become “nose blind,” and it may go unnoticed for some time.
It is commonly argued that most negative-ion producing air purifiers don’t create enough ozone to be harmful. It is true that these products are regulated by the EPA, who sets a standard of a maximum of 50ppb for acceptable ozone levels. However, the state of California determined that other factors, such as the type of construction materials used in building the home, can increase the overall ozone being breathed in by the home’s inhabitants. This means that even though a product is deemed safe, it could be dispersing harmful amounts of ozone in your air.
Are there any safe purifiers?
There are a few safe air purifiers that don’t create ozone, but have been proven to reduce the most common migraine triggers. The two most commonly recommended are allergist recommended HEPA filters, or an air purifier that doesn’t put off any harmful byproducts.
HEPA filters are air purification systems that use a fan to pull air into the system, which is then cleaned by pushing it through a very tight mesh filter. This is known to clean most allergens from the air, such as pollens, dander, or dust mites, making it a favorite for doctors treating indoor allergies. It doesn’t produce any ions or ozone, but it does require frequent cleaning and filter changes.
We do have an air purification option that is as cost effective as traditional ionizing purifiers but is more efficient, effective, and doesn’t create the harmful ozone byproduct. What is it? The i-Wave air purification system. This air purifier creates positive and negative ions in equal measure using bipolar ionization, a method that does not create ozone and works in a completely different way.
How iWave and HEPA filtration systems work
Although both the iWave and the HEPA filtration systems are extremely effective in eliminating migraine-causing allergens and pollutants from the air, they work in very different ways. Here is what you need to know about each of these air purification systems.
How HEPA filters work
The HEPA filter has long been the standard for those with asthma, allergies and allergy headaches, or migraines of an unknown cause. These filters are designed to filter particles as small as .03 microns, which includes most known allergens and common indoor pollutants. However, they may not capture bacteria or viruses while filtering the air.
These systems consist of a fan that pulls air into the unit, and a very tight mesh filter that the air is pushed through before being recirculated into the room. They can be purchased as a whole machine for specific rooms in the house, or you can upgrade your HVAC to accept HEPA grade filters.
How iWave is different from other air purifiers
The iWave R has a much cleaner operation. You never have to worry about filter replacements, cleaning, or maintenance costs. Using bipolar ionization, the iWave breaks allergens down into harmless compounds. Even bacteria and viruses can be killed off by removing the compounds that keep them alive.
This means your air is truly clean, and you will likely experience fewer migraines with milder symptoms just from improved indoor air quality. Because both positive and negative ions are produced instead of just negative ions, the iWave doesn’t release harmful ozone into your indoor air.
Why you should choose an iWave air purifying system
There are a lot of advantages to the iWave system that should be considered, including:
- Self-cleaning design
- No replacement parts or maintenance costs
- 3-year warranty
- Eliminates allergens, smoke, and radon gas
- Cost effective and hassle free
When you take into consideration the cost of replacement filters for three years compared to the cost of the simple and hassle-free iWave R, it is easy to see why this cost effective option is becoming extremely popular.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the iWave R has been proved to be 99.4% effective in eliminating COVID-19 from the air. This makes your family as healthy as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
We have been a dealer and certified installer for iWave air purification systems for some time now, but in the midst of a pandemic it is more important than ever to be vigilant about indoor air quality. If you are ready to breathe truly clean air and reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines, contact our indoor air quality experts today for more information and to schedule an estimate.
Expert Consultation – Only A Call Away!
Carolina Comfort, Inc. has been serving the neighborhoods of Columbia, South Carolina for over two decades. This means that when it comes to air conditioning systems, we really know our business.
From assessing your cooling requirements to bringing down costs associated with faulty air conditioning units, Carolina Comfort, Inc. can serve all your AC related needs.
The best part is that we pride on being available 24/7 for our customers.
After all, air conditioning systems can stop working any time, and so our technicians are always available to deal with any AC related emergencies – whether it is a weekend, holiday, or the middle of the night!
If you have any questions, need a consultation, or someone to repair your air conditioning unit – call us now!
5636 Bush River Rd.
Columbia, SC 29212
SC License – #M104545
NC License – #32356
Phone: (803) 794-5526
