hadlook Ozone Machine Odor Removal

This is a preliminary review based on a couple of uses. More importantly I want to share some cautionary notes, suggestions, and insight into how it works. I do not know yet how reliable this unit will be. First, ozone is a powerful oxidizer that can break down compounds that smell--as well as injure delicate tissue in your body, like your lungs. You must use it with great care. In very low concentrations, ozone has a slightly sweet, fresh odor. However, this unit produces a LOT of ozone, and in a small room can reach concentrations that result in a sharp, pungent, irritating smell that can literally take your breath away and cause respiratory problems if exposed for just a few seconds. You must be VERY CAREFUL using this product. Ozone in the air can have a half life of about 12 hours. This means every 12 hours, roughly half of the ozone breaks down. Therefore, without ventilation it can take several days for the odor to dissipate, while its drifting about the rest of your house. This odor is what people complain about here, but that's what ozone does. In a small, closed, 12x12 room, just 10 minutes of operation can produce levels of ozone that feel suffocating. Before you fumigate a room with this unit, first figure out how you're going to ventilate the room after the treatment. I ran the unit about 15 minutes and let the ozone linger for another 15 minutes or so. I had a box fan ready to put in a window to quickly vent the gas to outside after treatment. I had to hold my breath while I positioned the fan and started it. Finally, the unit produces ozone by corona discharge, meaning it has a power supply to produce a high voltage that is connected to a ceramic plate with electrodes on it. The high voltage energizes the air around it, creating a blue glow--the corona--which generates the ozone. A fan blows air over the corona, moving the ozone into the room. The fan does not have a filter, so over time, or in dusty conditions, dust collection on the plate or high humidity might reduce its efficiency or even cause a failure. I don't know. I have read that these plates have a limited lifetime of a few thousand hours. Ozone has its uses, but be very careful and understand that the smell is part of the deal but will dissipate eventually.