If you plan to use an ozone machine to purify the air, first realize that you shouldn’t plan to run the unit continuously, but rather only until the air is clean. Once the air is clean, turn the unit off.
When using an ozone machine in occupied areas, first and foremost, read the manufacturer’s recommendations to ascertain if the unit is recommended for use in occupied areas. Some ozone machines cannot be used in occupied areas. If this is the case, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations exactly.
If you have an ozone machine that can be used in occupied areas, place the unit on the opposite side of the room from the occupied side, so that the unit cleans the air between the occupants and the machine, and people and animals do not directly breathe the air from the machine. Begin by setting the ozone machine to the lowest level of purification, and adjust upward slowly (if necessary) until the air smells fresh and the odor is no longer present. Do not adjust the machine any higher than is necessary, as too much ozone in the air can result in a bleach-like, chlorine odor that can result in headaches, and minor throat or nasal irritation.
Unlike other types of air purifiers, ozone machines are not designed to run continuously. Once the odor is eradicated, then the ozone machine can and should be turned off. In the event that the odor returns, the ozone machine can be switched back on at it’s lowest level, and run for a few minutes to refresh the air.
The recommended ozone level for air purification is 0.01ppm (parts per million) to 0.05ppm. The air will begin to smell fresh at approximately 0.01ppm. In the event that you’re concerned about the level of ozone in the air, a portable ozone sensor can be used to constantly monitor ozone levels in occupied spaces.
Some of the more common ozone machines that can be used in occupied spaces include:
