[s-cars] musty smelling ac

[Scott Munger]

Christopher,
Understood, I don't think concern for one's family is
ever stupid.  This information from the EPA is
interesting:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

The statements that are quite alarming are:

"There is evidence to show that at concentrations that
do not exceed public health standards, ozone is not
effective at removing many odor-causing chemicals"

"If used at concentrations that do not exceed public
health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not
effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other
biological pollutants. "

--Scott


--- Christopher Leal <cleal at internap.com> wrote:
> Scott,
>
> This may be a stupid question but I am concerned
> about the families health.
>
> Do you have more info about the ozone makers and
> their effects. I have a
> couple of air cleaners from Sharper image that use
> this method I think.???
> I have never heard about any side effects. Am I
> being stupid or should I be
> concerned?
>
> TIA
>
> Christopher
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-admin at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-admin at audifans.com]On Behalf Of
> Scott Munger
> Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 8:50 AM
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] musty smelling ac
>
>
> Dave,
> I've been doing quite a bit of "odor" research as I
> had a similar problem, although my main problem is
> smoke smell, here is my 8 cents...
>
> The gym socks smell is most likely due to a
> bacterial
> source, so if you kill the bacteria, you should be
> able to kill the smell.  Kirby suggested bleach or
> hydrogen peroxide, both of which are powerful
> oxidizers but have the limitation of being liquid
> and
> hard to control.  Furthermore, with a liquid, you
> have
> to know where the source is to kill it.  Ozone is a
> very powerful oxidizer and since it's a gas, you can
> "fog" your whole car or rest a producer on your hood
> while the A/C fan runs.  In fact, only flourine is
> more powerful than ozone.  The best part is that
> it's
> totally broken down into O2 and (something)+Oxygen
> in
> less than an hours time (more like 20 minutes).
> I've not personally tried this yet as ozone
> producers
> are several hundred dollars and I want to make sure
> it
> works before I invest... although I've heard that
> you
> can rent them for use in rooms and RV's (I'm
> currently
> looking).
>
> Some caveats with Ozone... don't be  (or have pets
> or
> people) in or near the car/room when you are
> "fogging"
> as Ozone isn't picky about what it oxidizes and
> doesn't limit itself from lung tissue.  Small
> amounts
> are generally harmless, but the EPA strictly warns
> about using ozone sources as an air freshener where
> people constantly work/live.
>
> Another problem with Ozone is that it will break
> down
> rubbers, vinyls, etc... things cars tend to be made
> of.  Since a fogging would be about 1 hour per
> (year)?, this may be a non-issue, but something to
> consider nonetheless.
>
> Lastly, once the bacteria, smoke, etc is oxidized,
> the
> mystery is what did it turn into...
>
> Ozone is currently used to sanitize air and water
> with
> great success and supposedly can break down smoke
> molecules as well as kill bacterial and viral
> growth.
>
> Another fix that I tried with good success is to run
> the A/C and spray the most neutral scented Lysol
> anti
> bacterial and "Wizard" air neutralizer into the air
> intake on the exterior in front of the windshield.
> This worked pretty well... but I'm still on a
> mission.
>
> I'll update you if I can locate an ozone machine...
> Or
> build one, it's only electricity and a discharge
> area
> w/circulating air....
>
> --Scott
>
>
>
> >Anyone have a fix for that musty odor coming from
> the
> >ac before the air
> >gets cold or if just running the fan? Smells like
> my
> >dirty gym socks in
> >there.
> >Dave O'Neil
> >95.5 S6
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes
> http://autos.yahoo.com
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes
http://autos.yahoo.com