Disease Symptoms

California Assembly Bill 2276 requires that all home air filters sold in the state meet strict safety requirements and show that all the ozone that can be emitted by air purifiers must comply with the limits of the ozone layer , ie less than or equal to predetermined standards. California Air Resources Board states:

In accordance with California Assembly Bill 2276 (2006, Pavley), the Air Resources Board (ARB) developed and adopted a regulation in September 2007 to limit ozone emissions from indoor air cleaning devices to protect public health. All air cleaning devices sold in California must meet the requirements of the Regulation on October 18, 2010, the date of full compliance.

While the rules apply only to California, they are actually good for residents of all states due to independent testing of air purifiers shows that meet stringent standards and what not. When buying an air filter for your home, especially if a family member has asthma, do not want the best and safest? Do not want to make sure you buy one that does not emit ozone, an odorless gas that is believed to be the worst home environment for asthma and allergy? Do not you want one that has met the independent standards for electrical safety?

Any device for cleaning indoor air that do not meet California standards, but is sold on the Internet or by catalog is required to display a warning that says: Does not meet California requirements, can not be shipped to California. The Air Resources Board has even directed air purifiers made in California that do not meet the requirements, but will be sold only outside the state. The concern is that any units returned to the manufacturer can come into use in California and, therefore, the manufacturer must provide the non-compliance with non-standard tags.

While ozone is high in the sky, but not at ground level. Although a layer of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere shields the planet from about 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV), tropospheric ozone is a key ingredient of smog and has a negative effect on the air we breathe. Some air cleaners sold in California (Sharper Image Ionic Breeze is often given as an example) emit ozone as a byproduct of the generation of negative ions with ultraviolet light. Even after high ozone levels, it was reported that one of the causes of lung disease, attacks of asthma patients, hospitalizations and even premature death, the companies continued to sell air cleaners that produce ozone in California.

Although the public was informed of the potential health risks, the marketing seemed excellent to force California residents to purchase these hazardous air cleaning units. To stop the product sold in California, Bill 2276 was passed. Go to the ARB CA. Call for a state agency to enforce standards for air cleaning devices inside the California Air Resources Board requirements established independent laboratory tests and standards to be met for an air purifier to meet certification requirements. In the ARB website given above, you will find links to a page that lists the air purifiers that meet California standards by 2010, and a link to the page listing of air cleaners and ozone generators that are considered potentially dangerous.