The purifier has a fan setting, a filter reminder and one more button marked ION. It is worth finding out what that button does. Extra air-treatment features can use a different process from drawing air through a particle filter.
Avoid equipment intended to generate ozone
Source: Health Canada: ozone in homes
Health Canada advises against ozone generators in homes. Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, and devices that create it can also produce other harmful chemicals. A sharp 'fresh' smell is not evidence that air has been cleaned.
Do not use an ozone treatment as a routine answer to a musty room, smoke smell or new-furniture odour. Find and address the source. Follow appropriate professional guidance where damage or contamination needs remediation.
Read the technology, not just the front of the box
Source: Health Canada: portable air-cleaner selection
Source: California Air Resources Board: air-cleaning devices
Terms such as ion, plasma and electronic air cleaning describe different product designs. Ask whether the exact model produces ozone, whether the feature can be disabled, and whether it stays disabled after power is interrupted.
Health Canada's buying guidance points readers to CARB's list of devices tested for ozone emissions. Match the complete model number. A nearby model name or a general claim about the brand is not enough.
CARB describes its certification in terms of ozone emissions and electrical safety. Assess particle-cleaning performance separately through the appropriate CADR and room sizing information. An emissions listing is not a reason to assume that every advertised odour or health claim has been demonstrated.
Make the operating mode easy to maintain
Use the manufacturer's instructions to confirm what each indicator means. On some units, an unlit button means off; on others the display can dim while a function remains active. A photograph cannot establish the state of every product.
If you choose a model with an optional electronic feature, check its setting during initial setup and after resets. Do not disconnect internal parts or alter wiring to disable it. Choose a simpler suitable product if the desired operating mode is unclear.
For a new purchase, useful basics deserve attention first: enough particle capacity for the room, a fan speed you can tolerate, available replacement filters and clear operating instructions. More buttons do not automatically make those basics better.
If a device causes irritation or an unexplained smell, stop using it and follow its troubleshooting guidance. Seek medical advice for symptoms. Do not intentionally inhale near the outlet to decide whether the air treatment is working.
