The ozone layer, which lies high up in the atmosphere, shields us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from the Sun. Unfortunately we punched a hole in it, through the use of gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in spray cans and refrigerants, which break down ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere.

The ozone layer is a layer in Earth’s atmosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s UV radiation. Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ninety percent of the ozone in the atmosphere sits in the stratosphere, the layer of atmosphere between about 10 and 50 kilometers altitude.

Ozone is one of the most important trace gases in our atmosphere that both benefits and harms life on Earth. In the stratosphere, between approximately 15 and 50 km above the Earth’s surface, a layer rich in ozone serves as a “sunscreen” for the world by shielding the Earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.

Ionizing air purifiers, because of their electric charge, do create ozone. Consumer Reports has warned that they may give off potentially harmful ozone levels. “There are plenty of ionic air purifiers; only a small fraction make ozone,” Nizkorodov says.

These filters trap tiny particles and air pollutants, like dust and pollen. Air pollutants, when left unchecked, are harmful to patients suffering from lung problems, as they can damage the lungs further.

There is only one “bad smell” that is directly produced by an ionic purifier, and that is ozone. Aside from that, any odors that seem to be produced by the machine are actually existing odors that are being amplified by the removal of other particles in the air.

Air ionizers use ions to remove particulates, microbes, and odors from the air. Air ionizers make the air in a room healthier for people to breathe, especially for people suffering from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory-related ailments.

Air ionization neutralizes static charge on insulated and isolated objects by producing a balanced source of positively and negatively charged ions. Whatever static charge is present on objects in the work environment will be reduced and neutralized by attracting opposite polarity charges from the air.