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Have you ever stepped outside after a thunderstorm rolled through and noticed that the
air smelled a little fresher? Some of the responsibility can be given to the temperature
drop and the rain washing the air, but as dangerous and terrifying as the lightning can
be, zapping through the air it creates ozone, one of the best and safest air fresheners. There are two simple ways to make ozone without the use of chemicals; ultra-violet light
and an electrical spark discharge. When sunshine strikes earth's atmosphere, the ultra-violet radiation converts oxygen to
ozone, and in turn protects us from the harmful radiation. Ozone kills bacteria, mold spores, and mildew. It also destroys odors, and can freshen
smoke filled air under most conditions. As with most things, excessive amounts ozone are
not good; recommended guidelines call for between .01 and .05 parts per million of ozone
versus air. Excessive amounts of ozone are noticeable when a bleachy smell is in the air.
Ionization of the air can produce ozone (as an electric spark does), but ionization is
more useful as an air cleaner. Electronic air cleaners give dust particles a negative charge
as the air passes through the front part of the grids, then collects it on positively charged
plates. Direct ion generators flood the air with negatively charged dust particles in hopes that
the dust will be attracted to the positively charged walls and furniture of a room, but
excessively charged air particles are not healthy; and the dust still has to be dealt with
at some time.
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