Terpenes + Ozone = FormaldehydePart 3: Making Formaldehyde

In part two we discussed how ozone can become elevated in the home and the dangers of using ozone generators in closed areas. Even though the EPA danced around the immediate danger, that of having too high of an ozone content in poorly ventilated spaces, they don’t even mention that when ozone and terpenes are mixed they produce formaldehyde which may be at high levels already.

“...formaldehyde is...released from other sources such as plywood and pressed wood products that are found in most buildings, any increase in formaldehyde emissions is undesirable.”

“When the researchers tested the terpene-containing products in the presence of ozone, they found that reactions produced very small particles with properties like those found in smog and haze; other oxidation products; and formaldehyde, a respiratory irritant that is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. (This designation by the International Agency for Cancer Research is reserved for substances for which there is sufficient evidence to conclude that they cause cancer in humans.) The amounts of terpenes that were converted into these pollutants was dependent on the amount of ozone present.”
Common household cleaners and air fresheners may lead to health risks.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/05/24/18127.aspx
News Medical. May 24, 2006.

In part 4 we will summarize and give our recommendations to improve your indoor air quality and reduce toxins related to terpenes and ozone.

Part 4: Conclusion

Resources:
1.  Common household cleaners and air fresheners may lead to health risks.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/05/24/18127.aspx
News Medical. May 24, 2006.
2.  Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airclean.html#Ozone%20generators
US EPA. May 2008.
3. Fact Sheet: Beware of Ozone-generating Indoor “Air Purifiers”.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/ozone_gen_fact_sheet-a.pdf
California Air Resources Board. March, 2006.