Research Projects

A representative telephone survey of 2,019 California adults was conducted to determine the extent to which Californians purchased and used indoor air cleaners, specifically models that produce ozone either intentionally or as a byproduct, as well as the reasons for their purchase, the frequency and duration of their use, and to determine other factors that may impact public health. Fourteen percent of California households own an air cleaner. Ten percent of California households own an air cleaner that produces ozone intentionally or as a byproduct: two percent (2%) of California households own an air cleaner that intentionally emits ozone, while eight percent (8%) own one that may emit ozone as a by-product. Although these are small percentages of the total California households, this equates to about 282,000 households and 828,000 Californians who are exposed to ozone emitted intentionally from air cleaners, and many more who may be exposed to lower levels from by-product devices. Californians purchase air cleaners primarily for health reasons, and most use their air cleaners continuously every day.