Air Purifiers

Hello, I just bought 3 Argenus air sterilizers by Hunter. They belong to model #: 30580. This is the data they give me regarding ozone output on these units:

“As a byproduct of the high voltage sterilization field, Argenus produces trace amounts of ozone - about 7 parts per billion, which is well below the FDA allowable limit of 50 parts per billion.”

The level is low, but since a bird’s respiratory system is so very sensitive, can you give me your take on this?

Do you think it’s safe to run one in my birdroom? I have 18 parrots, all rescues except for one. The “birdroom” is about 14 by 14 feet square with a high ceiling and I have my conures in it. The other room is the main room of the house and is very large with a high ceiling. I have 6 birds in there, an amazon, a timneh grey, a conure and 3 tiels. The other room is my bedroom and I have a Patagonian Conure in there who has had a lifetime of sinus infections so he’s kept away from the other birds since he’s sick a lot. He was previously in the conure room but is being treated now and we aren’t sure if he has a sinus or fungal infection. Since the conure room tends to be wetter and more humid than the other part of the house, mold is an issue. This is also a large room with an 8 foot ceiling. Each one of
these rooms has an air sterilizer in it of the same model.

I honestly don’t know just how much 7 parts per billion is, relative to a bird’s sensitivity. Any info would be helpful.

Cynthia (Cindi) Eppers

Hi Cindi,

This is an excellent question and, unfortunately, one which causes much controversy. Some experts say there is no problem with ozone generators, others say the constant exposure of very low levels (0.12 parts per million) causes scarring in human lungs which can lead to respiratory disease.

You put it very well: “... a bird’s respiratory system is so very sensitive”. I would be concerned that repeated, frequent ozone generation, even at this very low concentration, would be detrimental to my bird’s health.

My safest recommendation for the birdroom is to go with HEPA filters only, not air purifiers/sterilizers that produce any amount of ozone.

Thanks for asking!

Ellen K. Cook, DVM

About Ellen K. Cook, DVM

Dr. Ellen K. Cook has been practicing small animal medicine since 1975. In 1998, she rescued Merlin, a six-year-old Moluccan cockatoo with many undesirable behaviours, and soon began focusing primarily on avian veterinary medicine and behavioral issues.

Dr. Cook is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the International Association of Trainers and Educators, the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists.

She has published numerous articles over the years on avian veterinary and behavioural care, and serves as on online consultant for the World Parrot Trust. Dr. Cook has been teaching basic behavior classes to parrots and their caregivers since 2009, and is the founder of Parrots Anonymous, an organization dedicated to educating those who live with companion parrots.

To book a consultation with Dr. Cook, visit the Cicero Veterinary Clinic at http://www.cicerovet.com