I just got a commercial Ozone Generator

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
China makes these. I was watching an automotive restoration show and they used one to battle mold/mildew smells. The sunroof in my 4Runner leaked a few times and despite drying it out, it hasn't smelled right since.

Anyone used one? Got any pointers for steering clear while using one since Ozone is bed for you?
 

whm1974

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2016
9,436
1,567
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China makes these. I was watching an automotive restoration show and they used one to battle mold/mildew smells. The sunroof in my 4Runner leaked a few times and despite drying it out, it hasn't smelled right since.

Anyone used one? Got any pointers for steering clear while using one since Ozone is bed for you?
Were a gas mask?
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
I experimented with one once just for fun. I was just curious to try it so I turned it on in the bedroom for like an hour. It's probably not bad to be exposed to it momentarily but definitely use it in an area you won't be spending time in. Like turn it on, come back later, turn it off, then come back later, type deal.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
I experimented with one once just for fun. I was just curious to try it so I turned it on in the bedroom for like an hour. It's probably not bad to be exposed to it momentarily but definitely use it in an area you won't be spending time in. Like turn it on, come back later, turn it off, then come back later, type deal.
I had a small one years ago. I can't remember the company that sold them... It was a small night-light sized plug. I used to run it in my bathroom constantly. The one I bought was about $50 shipped and it will blast a 500 sq ft room in an hour.

I'm planning on setting the timer to hold a few mornings and hitting my crawlspace for 4 hours at a time....then blasting the space with positive airflow from some fans at lunch before my kids get home from school.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126
After running it in a confined space, I went to turn it off and got mild throat irritation and my skin smelled like ozone afterwards. I had very minimal exposure buy that's going to change how I use it. I'm going to be a lot more cautious.

I can see how people could ruin themselves with one of these machines. I was most surprised of how it bonded to my hand when I recovered the machine.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
70,165
28,813
136
Breathing ozone ain't good.

 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
38,363
8,675
136
I experimented with one once just for fun. I was just curious to try it so I turned it on in the bedroom for like an hour. It's probably not bad to be exposed to it momentarily but definitely use it in an area you won't be spending time in. Like turn it on, come back later, turn it off, then come back later, type deal.
If I'm not mistaken my Brother HL-5470dw laser printer puts out ozone. I smell it (something!) pretty strongly when I do large print jobs (e.g. a 50 page duplexed manual). I figure it's not good for me and try not to hang out in the room (my kitchen) when this is going on. The smell goes away pretty quickly.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
If I'm not mistaken my Brother HL-5470dw laser printer puts out ozone. I smell it (something!) pretty strongly when I do large print jobs (e.g. a 50 page duplexed manual). I figure it's not good for me and try not to hang out in the room (my kitchen) when this is going on. The smell goes away pretty quickly.

Hmm never considered that smell was ozone, but yeah laser printers do have a distinct smell and it could very well be as there is a high voltage generator in there to generate the charge for the toner to stick on the drum. Though the toner melting might also contribute. Either way it may not be too healthy to be around printers all the time. Ex: in an office near the printer room or something.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,778
126

U ded brah, lol
I already knew everything in that article before I bought the device. It's very clear to me that there's something to this thing...and I'm aware of the danger. There are small air cleaners that are ozone generators. This machine isn't large, but it's also not an air cleaner... It's not something I'll use if we're planning on being in the house that day...
 

uclaLabrat

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2007
5,581
2,939
136
Ozone is pretty nasty to be breathing. I've done decently large scale reactions with it and yeah, it can burn the shit out of your throat. I'd air it out for sure.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
68,413
12,593
126
www.anyf.ca
Home restoration companies use them to clear out smoke smell after a fire. When my parents had a house fire they put a bunch of big ones in the basement. I think they also acted as dehumidifiers, they basically help dry and clean the air at same time and it smelled like ozone.
 

paperfist

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2000
6,517
280
126
www.the-teh.com
It has the same smell the air does after a rain/thunder storm. We use them to remove smoke damage. Let the area air out after use and or limit run time.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
38,363
8,675
136
Hmm never considered that smell was ozone, but yeah laser printers do have a distinct smell and it could very well be as there is a high voltage generator in there to generate the charge for the toner to stick on the drum. Though the toner melting might also contribute. Either way it may not be too healthy to be around printers all the time. Ex: in an office near the printer room or something.
I've smelled the same smell with other laser printers. I think I heard that it's ozone.

A search produced: "As a normal part of the printing process, the high voltages inside the printer can produce a corona discharge that generates a small amount of ionized oxygen and nitrogen, which react to form ozone and nitrogen oxides."

I don't know what it is I'm smelling, whether it's ozone or maybe nitrogen oxides. Anyway, I figure it can't be good for me and try to not hang out in the room if it's really noticeable. It goes away quickly.
 

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
8,122
5,144
146
Be careful, ozone can also increase the likelihood of combustion. If you're using it in a garage, be sure to air it out well afterwards.