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Q: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm ( No Answer,   6 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
Category: Science > Earth Sciences
Asked by: markabe-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 09 Feb 2003 23:22 PST
Expires: 11 Mar 2003 23:22 PST
Question ID: 159341
You know how when there’s a thunderstorm, the air has that electrical
charge to it? It smells fresh and you have twice as much energy as
before. Well, I want to know how I can get that effect in my home all
the time.

One option that I was told about was ionisers. I bought two, but I’ve
stopped using them after six months since I’ve noticed no effect from
having used them.

Are ionisers any good at all, and if so, which ones actually work?

If they won’t get me that charged air effect, then what will?

Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 10 Feb 2003 00:54 PST
Hi Markabe,

Having worked for a company that deals with pollution control devices
I can tell you that the fresh smell you detect during and after a
thunderstorm is created by ozone. Sky divers also detect that same
smell when they're up in the sky.

Ionizers cannot recreate that same smell no matter how many units you
have simply because these units do not produce ozone. An ozone air
purifier can produce that same smell. Unfortunately, in the U.S.,
ozone air purifiers are considered more as pollution-causing devices
rather than as air purifiers. In Australia, there is a company that
specialize in such devices. The company is Ozone Pollution Technology.
You can learn more about it through this link:
http://www.ozonetec.com/ This is the same product that I promoted
during my term as an advertising and technical supervisor for a
trading company in the Philippines. Don't get me wrong though, I am
not promoting this brand. I can give you other brands. This is just an
example that I'm familiar with.

About duplicating the fresh air affect indoors, cool air is needed.
You only need an ozone air purifier and air conditioned area. With the
right setting, you will have the same effect that you are looking for.

Why am I not posting this as an answer even though it is? It's because
I want to know if you have an open-minded view with regards to ozone.
If you agree with me, I'll post this as an answer with added
information of course. If you don't agree, I hope the idea will be of
help.

Regards,
Feilong

Clarification of Question by markabe-ga on 10 Feb 2003 01:24 PST
feilong,

"Unfortunately, in the U.S., ozone air purifiers are considered more
as pollution-causing devices rather than as air purifiers."

Does this mean that ozone is dangerous to breathe in?

Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 10 Feb 2003 04:03 PST
Mark,

It's like this:
Chemical air fresheners are widely used in homes to "freshen" the air.
Such air fresheners are made up of a mixture of various chemicals
producing a specific scent. Of course when you use it, it is
inevitable that you'll inhale these chemicals because the scent is
pleasing to the smell. Now, most people are aware that these chemicals
can also be harmful to our body. The question is why do we use it? The
answer is simply knowing how to use it properly and in what amount.
Too much can cause dizziness, nausea, and God knows what other harmful
effects in the body. Too little won't deliver the desired result.

The point is, too much of everything is harmful. So, going back to
your query, does this mean that ozone is dangerous to breathe in? Not
when used properly. There are many ozone air purifier brands in the
market. Each one comes with a specific manual on how to properly use
it.

I was implying that the U.S. is very careful with the use of such a
device. Take for example the info posted in one of FDA's webpages:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/ENF00020.html regarding the
recall of a specific model because it has exceeded the ozone emission
limit.

Product:          Alpine Air Electronic Air Purifier, Alpine Model
150.
                  Recall #Z-261-1.
Code:             Serial numbers:  1000 through 41303.
Manufacturer:     Alpine Air Products, Inc., Minneapolis Minnesota. 
Recalled by:      Manufacturer during sales meeting May 31, 1990
                  followed by June 1990 promotional publication.
                  Firm-initiated recall ongoing.
Distribution:     Nationwide. 
Quantity:         40,303 units were distributed.
Reason:           The device may generate ozone in excess of the 0.5
limit
                  established in 21 CFR 80.1415 for devices which
generate
                  ozone by design or as a by-product.

As implied by this page, such a device is available for the consumer
but the government is very particular with regards to the monitoring
of the  quality and specifications of this kind of product. For me,
such monitoring is a very good thing to ensure that such a device is
used properly.

It would be helpful if you download the pdf file regarding "Personal
Air Purifiers" found at
http://www.ozonetec.com/Air%20Home%20Page/air.htm for you to get more
info on this product. If you find our exchange of information helpful
and you want me to post it as an answer, please tell me.

Feilong
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: ldavinci-ga on 10 Feb 2003 13:10 PST
 
Ozone is highly unstable and in high doses could cause lung irritation
and in severe causes wheezing, asthma and permanent reduction in lung
effeciency.  It is a by product of the
ionization process that helps charge the dust particles to be
attarcted and separated out
from the incoming air.   The effect during thunder storm is due to the
combination of
cool air, smell of the the warm air emanating from the soil(due to
raindrops falling on dry soil)
and pockets of ozone produced by a thunderstorm/corona discharge.  You
could probably
create the similar effect using a humidifier(preferably an ultrasonic
one), a blower fan and
a car ionizer and some aroma spray(for the fresh soil smell).  You
have to make sure that the
ionizer is activated by a timer apart from an arrangement to mix
bursts of ozone rich air
with high volume of fresh air.
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: funkywizard-ga on 11 Feb 2003 06:09 PST
 
I must agree with feilong-ga when he says that the smell you are
referring to is ozone. In my recent studies of chemistry 106, my
textbook says that lightning causes ozone which is what accounts for
the smell. It further says that at ground level, ozone is a pollutant
that can cause various problems because it is a "strong oxidizing
agent". Rust is a form of oxidation, but things other than iron can be
oxidized, with an effect that is just as damaging. Also of note, my
text said that with even a reletively small amount of ozone at ground
level, the effectiveness of photosynthesis in plants can be cut in
half. In all, I would say to enjoy the smell of lightning when it
happens, and not try to recreate it in your home, for safety's sake.
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: cpslosk8er-ga on 03 Aug 2004 15:31 PDT
 
Markabe,

I work for a company that manufactures ozone generators for water and
air purification.  I can tell you with 100% certainty that the smell
in the air during a thunderstorm is, in fact, ozone.  Two things in
nature produce ozone, lightning and UV rays.  UV rays produce it in
the upper atmosphere and are responsible for the "ozone layer". 
Lightning produces it in the lower atmosphere and creates that "fresh
air" smell.  Ozone is an oxidizer and a poisonous gas, similar to
chlorine gas (used in WWI as a chemical weapon).  Home ionizers will
not reproduce that smell no matter what because they do not produce
ozone.  There are many ozone generators on the market designed for
home air purification.  Most of these are dangerous because they sit
in one room and can cause a build up of ozone.  The FDA regulated
maximum for continuous exposure is 0.50 parts per million.  Humans can
sometimes smell ozone at concentrations of as little as 0.020 ppm. 
Therefore, if you can smell the ozone, it is close to or above unsafe
levels, so most home ozonators are a risky investment.  Most home
ozone generators do not actually clean the air, they will deodorize
but since they do not filter particulates out of the air or sanitize
it there are still particles and bacteria/mold in the air.  Over
exposure to ozone can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage
to membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs, and also cancer.  If you
are interested in an whole home ozone air purifier that does not cause
ozone build up and that you will not be able to smell but that will
deodorize and sanitize your air, feel free to contact me:
mkelley@cwtozone.com or visit our website at www.cwtozone.com.  I hope
I answered your question thoroughly and given you some options for air
purifiers.
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: cpslosk8er-ga on 03 Aug 2004 15:34 PDT
 
Markabe,

I work for a company that manufactures ozone generators for water and
air purification.  I can tell you with 100% certainty that the smell
in the air during a thunderstorm is, in fact, ozone.  Two things in
nature produce ozone, lightning and UV rays.  UV rays produce it in
the upper atmosphere and are responsible for the "ozone layer". 
Lightning produces it in the lower atmosphere and creates that "fresh
air" smell.  Ozone is an oxidizer and a poisonous gas, similar to
chlorine gas (used in WWI as a chemical weapon).  Home ionizers will
not reproduce that smell because they produce minute amounts of ozone.
 There are many ozone generators on the market designed for home air
purification.  Most of these are dangerous because they sit in one
room and can cause a build up of ozone.  The FDA regulated maximum for
continuous exposure is 0.050 parts per million.  Humans can sometimes
smell ozone at concentrations of as little as 0.020 ppm.  Therefore,
if you can smell the ozone, it is close to or above unsafe levels, so
most home ozonators are a risky investment.  Most home ozone
generators do not actually clean the air, they will deodorize but
since they do not filter particulates out of the air or sanitize it
there are still particles and bacteria/mold in the air.  Over exposure
to ozone can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, damage to
membranes in the nose, throat, and lungs, and also cancer.  If you are
interested in an whole home ozone air purifier that does not cause
ozone build up and that you will not be able to smell but that will
deodorize and sanitize your air, feel free to contact me:
mkelley@cwtozone.com or visit our website at www.cwtozone.com.  I hope
I answered your question thoroughly and given you some options for air
purifiers.
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: rschr-ga on 30 Oct 2004 00:11 PDT
 
It seems almost all the negative ion generators on the market are not
powerful enough to get results. See www.cet.org and click on the
"Negative Ion Therapy" Link.

CET.org is a non-profit organization connected with the Chronobiology
Department of Columbia University. I have no affiliation with
them--they are just the most credible source of information that I
have found on the web about this subject.
Subject: Re: Fresh Air during a Thunderstorm
From: sume-ga on 21 Jan 2005 22:15 PST
 
ozone is harm full to living organism including human beings.so i
recomend not using ozone for that effect.UV rays can convert oxygen to
ozone.so using UV lamp can create ozone in room.ozone can kill germs
in the air so in some public toilets they ise uv lamp so that the
ozone produced will kill germs in the toilet.

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