Clean Air for You and Your Birds – Ozone Generators, Ionizers or Air Purifiers?

When I first began working with birds in zoo collections, older keepers warned me about respiratory ailments such as “Bird Breeder’s Lung” and “Poultry Worker’s Disease”.  Several of my co-workers were always short of breath and coughed frequently.  Eventually, some were diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (a/k/a Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis), which results from inhaling organic dust and other irritating substances.  Private bird owners are also sometimes afflicted with this condition, and birds themselves may sicken and die when exposed to certain common airborne particles and chemicals.  Unfortunately, advertisements for air-cleaning devices have confused rather than clarified the options available to us; some are actually harmful (yet still on the market!) while others are highly effective.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

In addition to bird owners, people involved farming and certain other occupations frequently inhale substances that are harmful to the respiratory system.  A slew of common names has arisen, including Mushroom Picker’s Disease, Farmer’s Lung and Air-Conditioner Lung.

Among those working with birds, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis is most commonly seen where large collections are housed indoors with poor ventilation, or where aviaries are not cleaned on a regular basis.  However, a single bird or cage can initiate health problems, especially in those who are sensitive or are afflicted with asthma.

Cockatoos and other species that produce a great deal of dander are of special concern.  In addition to the fine powder these birds produce, dust from dried feces, feathers and nesting material, along with molds and fungi (please see photo), can cause lung damage.  I know of several zoo-workers who have become sensitized to the dust generated by cricket colonies (raised for feeding birds); I myself now sneeze violently when near crickets in a confined area.

Acute and Chronic Forms

Acute Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis results from a single exposure to a large amount of dust or dander.  A cough and flue-like symptoms, including fever, usually manifest within several hours of the incident.

Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis occurs in response to repeated, long-term inhalation of irritating particles.  Over time, less and less exposure is needed to trigger injury.  Permanent scarring of the lungs, known as Pulmonary Fibrosis, and other serious damage to the respiratory system may result.

Ionizers and Ozone Generators

Although marketed as being able to “scrub the air”, these appliances do not remove airborne dust to a significant degree.  Both generate ozone, an unstable oxygen molecule (O3).

Ozone is an effective germicide and has a number of legitimate uses, including the treatment of waste water and exhaust gasses.  However, both the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association caution against the indoor use of ozone-generating devices.  In relatively small amounts, ozone has been shown to trigger asthma attacks and to reduce lung elasticity and the immune system’s ability to fight respiratory infections.  Aviculturists have also linked individual and group bird deaths to ozone.

Air Purifiers

High Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) Air Purifiers are the best option for protecting the lungs of both bird and bird owner.  “HEPA” is a government-established standard.  In order to be so rated, the unit must remove 99.97% of those airborne particles that exceed 3 microns in size.  The dander and dust typically associated with birds and other pets will be captured by a HEPA air purifier.

Many air purifiers also utilize activated carbon to remove fumes and chemicals from the air.  The fumes generated by household cleaners, burning Teflon (used to coat cookware) and similar sources are unhealthy for people and birds alike.

Please see the article below to learn more about specific HEPA Air Purifiers.

 

 

Further Reading

HEPA Air Purifiers; information and suppliers 

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis 

Air Filtration; further information  

Umbrella Cockatoo image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Wade Armstrong and Snowmanradio
Ascomycetes image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Dr. David Midgely