{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000093","name":"Indoor Air Purifier (HEPA and ionizer types)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"appliance","tags":["air_quality","ozone","HEPA","indoor_air"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Portable indoor air purifiers. HEPA models are effective for particulates but don't remove VOCs or formaldehyde. Ionizer/electrostatic models generate ozone as byproduct — a respiratory irritant that can exceed California ARB limits. Some 'UV-C purifiers' generate ozone. Activated carbon filters adsorb VOCs but saturate quickly. Misleading marketing claims ('kills 99.9% of viruses') often not backed by real-world efficacy. Some units create formaldehyde from incomplete photocatalytic oxidation.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"negligible","synthesis_confidence":0.4,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"available_priority","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["Ozone generation from ionizers/UV-C models","Formaldehyde from photocatalytic oxidation","False security — HEPA doesn't remove gases/VOCs","Misleading viral/bacterial efficacy claims","Activated carbon saturation → re-release of captured VOCs"],"sensitive_populations":"Asthmatics (ozone), infants, individuals with respiratory conditions","exposure_routes":"Inhalation (continuous, 24/7)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation"],"contact_types":[],"users":[],"duration":"years","frequency":"continuous","scenarios":["Inhalation exposure during use of Indoor Air Purifier (HEPA and ionizer types)"],"notes":"Runs 24/7 in living space; ozone output is continuous from ionizer types"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["Ionizer or ozone-generating technology","No California ARB listing","Claims to remove all viruses/bacteria","No CADR rating"],"green_flags":["True HEPA (H13 grade)","California ARB certified","AHAM Verifide CADR rating","No ionizer/ozone features"],"what_to_ask":["Does this generate ozone?","What is the CADR rating?","How often must filters be replaced?"],"alternatives":["HEPA-only (no ionizer)","Source control (remove pollutants)","Ventilation (open windows when outdoor air is clean)"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["California ARB ozone emission limit (0.050 ppm)","AHAM Verifide (CADR testing)","FTC (advertising claims)","EU LVD"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"e-waste","disposal_guidance":"E-waste recycling; filters to landfill","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"5-10 years; filters 3-12 months"},"formulation":{"form":"electronic_appliance","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"HEPA filter media","role":"particulate_filtration","concentration_pct":"10-20"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Activated carbon","role":"VOC_adsorption","concentration_pct":"5-10"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Ionizer/electrostatic plate","role":"particle_charging","concentration_pct":"varies"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-002001","compound_name":"R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropene)","role":"Used in some heat pump systems connected to indoor air","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-002012","compound_name":"R-407C (HFC-407C refrigerant blend)","role":"Refrigerant in heat pump / AC systems for indoor air","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-002014","compound_name":"R-454B (Opteon XL41 — R-32/R-1234yf blend)","role":"Future refrigerant in residential heat pump / AC systems","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California ARB ozone emission limit (0.050 ppm)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_6071ceba"},{"type":"regulation","title":"AHAM Verifide (CADR testing)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_d80482dd"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FTC (advertising claims)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_89183c7e"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU LVD","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_a414d7e2"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:27:45.877Z"}}