The magazine tested six popular ionizing cleaners and one HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. It found that two of the ionizing cleaners emit 150 to 300 parts per billion of ozone in samples taken 2 inches from the machine, while three other ionizing cleaners are in the 26-to-48-ppb range. The Environmental Protection Agency's standards for outdoor ozone concentration exposure is 80 parts per billion over eight hours. "Anyone who has respiratory problems might think, 'The closer I get this thing to my head while I'm sleeping, the better.' Those people will be exposed to relatively high levels of ozone, which is not a good thing," says Mark Connelly, the magazine's director of testing. "In normal people, exposure to ozone levels of 100 parts per billion causes injuries to the airways," says Dean Sheppard, director of the Lung Biology Researcher Center at the University of California-San Francisco. "It also produces an effect in the airways of normal people that's like what you see in people with asthma: shortness of breath and wheezing."

Studies by researchers at UCSF and Yale University also have shown that even small increases in ozone are associated with reduced lung function and increased mortality rates. Casey Fisher, president of Surround Air, which makes one of the models on Consumer Report's "not recommended" list, disputed the results and says tests conducted by "an independent lab prove that the ozone level produced by the XJ-2000 is well beneath safety standards at as close as 1 foot away, and even less." The magazine found that five of the six ionizing cleaners don't clean very well. "They were all ineffective in removing pollen, dust and smoke from air," says Jeff Asher, the magazine's technical director. Robert Padgett of Brookstone says its Pure Ion air cleaner has "one of the highest clean-air delivery rates of any product in its class," according to independent tests. Doctors don't recommend air filters for patients with allergies and asthma, says Sheppard. Animal dander especially isn't readily removed by such filters because it gets caught in furniture or rugs, he says

But more than 80% of air cleaners are purchased become someone in the home has asthma or allergies, magazine editor Robert Markovich says. And ionizing air cleaners account for about 25% of the roughly $410 million Americans spend on air cleaners each year. There is no government oversight over ionizing air cleaners. If the product is not making a medical claim, it doesn't fall under the Food and Drug Administration's jurisdiction, spokeswoman Julie Zawisza says. The EPA would require congressional authority to set indoor air standards, spokesman Dave Ryan says. slant fin air purifier ionizerHowever, the agency's Web site warns of the adverse effects of even a relatively small amount of ozone.rotobrush air duct cleaning mn The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is reviewing scientific literature on the effects of ozone-generating air cleaners. sharp air purifier singapore best denki

It expects to complete its study this fall, spokesman Steve Forde says.SITEWIDE FREE SHIPPINGPROMO CODE: SHIP99 SITEWIDE FREE SHIPPINGPROMO CODE: SHIP99 Pure-Ion Pro Air Purifier This product may be returned within 60 days of purchase with original receipt (See our Return Policy). Cleaner air in just 5 minutes Trap mold, dust, dander, mites, bacteria, smoke Washable permanent filter never needs replaced Whisper-quiet for use in bedrooms5 star47%4 star23%3 star3%2 star7%1 star20%See all 30 customer reviewsEXCHANGED MY UNIT for a new one after 8 monthsI purchased Brookstone's Pure-Ion Pro air cleaner for the following reasons:1. It doesn't require much space. The size (25.5" high x 11.5" deep x 7" wide) is suitable for my bedroom and the location I had in mind.2. I wanted an air cleaner that does not require costly replacement filters. The Pure-Ion Pro contains one single filter which is designed to be used for the life of the product. I wash the filter under a shower aided by a tub & toilet spray cleaner.

A flashing LED signals when a wash is due.*The filter is a principal part of the unit and must be protected at all times. An impaired filter will impede your unit. Consequently, DO NOT WASH YOUR FILTER IN A DISHWASHER. Although the idea of it may sound convenient the reality is going to be somewhat different. For instance: (1) Your filter can be damaged as you lower it onto the loading rack. (2) Even if the filter is alone in the dishwasher bits of food (debris from previous washes) can adhere to the filter and "cement" there during the drying cycle. (3) Still worse, callously placing the filter among dirty dishes will surely subvert the filter even quicker. Been there, done that and had to exchange my unit for a new one.3. I wanted an air cleaner with three fan speeds. This one has five. There's WHISPER, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH and TURBO. Quite obviously, this sleek product contains all the bells and whistles.4. I wanted an ion emitting air cleaner. Press the ION button atop the Pure-Ion Pro and an LED illuminates letting you know that the ION function is activated.5.

I wanted a quiet device that would allow me to fall asleep. On WHISPER setting I can still hear the fans, but the sound is minimal enough so as not to be a problem. It was surprising to us that at bedtime my wife and I actually prefer MEDIUM speed. The sound is not the type of sound to keep us awake.6. The unit has an automatic timer which I use occasionally. Choose 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 hours of operation.This air cleaner has definitely made a difference. We breathe through the night with clear nasal passages. My wife has asthma and is greatly relieved, more so than with our previous air cleaners which embodied the HEPA filtration technology. (HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation).Brookstone's Pure-Ion Pro cleans the air in two ways: Besides catching dust and allergens in its filter, the continuous emission of negative ions bring airborne contaminants to the ground. Consequently, you may need to vacuum and/or dust a bit more often, but considerably less irritants shall find sanctuary in your air.

As I alluded to in #4 (above), the ion emitter can be turned on or off at your discretion.Detractors of ion emitting devices point to the fact that they produce unwanted ozone. I tested the Pure-Ion Pro with an ozone detector card from Ozone Solutions of Hull, Iowa. Finding absolutely no visible reading I contacted Brookstone in this regard. I was informed that the Pure-Ion Pro produces less than .05 parts per million of ozone (well within the limits of Federal EPA, California EPA and FDA standards) and would therefore be detectable only on the most sophisticated detection equipment.Detractors also claim that walls will soon become filled with dust. Well, after eight months I have yet to find any, but I promise to keep an open mind and will update if I do.For those who are skeptical about what they cannot see, an "Ion Stick" is available for ion testing. Ion Stick(TM) I tested the Pure-Ion Pro on MEDIUM speed holding the Ion Stick two feet off the front grille. Readings fluctuated widely and rapidly in the air flow, but the highest reading I caught was in the 1,900's;