Honeywell HFD-120-Q Tower HEPAQuiet Air Purifier with Permanent IFD Filter, Black

One post states that this unit "emits ozone from the ionizer", and others mention or question ozone or ozone-like smells.

I just thought I'd share what I've found thus far on that point, and a useful independent air cleaner product testing organization and website. One may be wise to question and do their own research regarding manufacturer claims, and similarly question any unsubstantiated comments by reviewers (my statements below included).

It appears the Honeywell HFD-120-Q does in fact meet current standards for ozone emission, at least as shown on page 8 of the "2009 Directory of Certified Portable Electric Room Air Cleaners", Edition No. 1, January 2009, published by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) (www.cadr.org/consumer-certified.htm). AHAM is "an organization that verifies the testing results of home appliances such as room air conditioners, dehumidifiers - and, of course, room air cleaners" (see introductory page of Directory).

The AHAM directory provides useful comparison information regarding rates of smoke, dust, and pollen removal, and a room size for each unit. The HFD-120-Q compares favorably, so I've given it 5 stars on that basis (and in fairness given the preponderance of other 5 star ratings, and my other experience with Honeywell products). I'm personally also concerned about comparisons regarding electricity use (Greenhouse gases), generation and disposal of waste (e.g., used filters), maintenance time and effort required, and total cost of ownership. Ozone generation, though, doesn't appear to be an issue relative to the HFD-120-Q (or units of other major manufacturers, as listed in AHAM's directory).

The EPA webpage cited in another post (www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html) discusses ozone generating devices in general, but after 20 minutes of searching that article and a number of its links I could find no mention or citation of a specific air cleaner being cited as generating ozone at a rate above standards. In one linked article I found only the statement that "Some portable air cleaners using electronic air cleaners might produce ozone", with a link then provided to the AHAM directory (see "Portable Air Cleaners" section: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airclean.html).

AHAM does note that its testing does not include a repeat of ozone tests performed by Underwriters Laboratories: "Underwriters Laboratories Safety Standard 867 recognizes 50 ppb as a maximum ozone emission limit. Participants may voluntarily provide certified ozone emissions data to UL Standard 867, Section 37, which is not subject to separate verification testing by AHAM. Additional information on ozone emission is available from individual manufacturers."

Those concerned about ozone emission from air cleaners should do further research themselves (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories information). This is as far as I've gotten myself. I too am wary of biased information, and "facts" are often hard to come by.Buy Honeywell HFD-120-Q Tower HEPAQuiet Air Purifier with Permanent IFD Filter, Black!