Ozone Machines Banned in California: What We've Learned
- Greg M
- Sep 29, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Background:
First the bad news: our company was fined $29,000 (ouch!) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for selling our ozone machines to regular citizens in California. According to CARB, our ozone generators create too much ozone for personal use and are only permitted for certain industrial uses.
Now the good news: As a result of working with CARB we've learned how to become in compliance. And we can share that information with you. Here is what we know about the rules of purchasing commercial ozone generators in California.
This article will explain CARB's rules & regulations and if you may be eligible for an "industrial use exception" in California.
Understanding Ozone Generators:
Ozone (O₃) is a natural and highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is generated by passing oxygen molecules (O₂) through an corona discharge electrical field. Ozone is known for its strong oxidizing properties, making it an effective agent for eliminating various contaminants. Commercial ozone generators work by filling spaces with high-concentrations of ozone gas to treat volotile organic compounds including odors, mold, smoke, fire & flood damage.
Understanding California Regulations:
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has banned the sale of high-output ozone generators to California unless the buyer qualifies for what is known as an "industrial use exception". This means the buyer must meet certain qualifications as an industrial business before the manufacturer can legally sell/ship ozone machines (that produce over 0.05ppm ozone concentration) to California.
Industrial Use Exceptions:
The industrial uses for which ozone generators can be sold to California include the following applications. Click on the arrow next to each industrial use listed below to read more information:
Damage Remediation Services
mold, odor, fire and smoke damage remediation services, carried out by trained personnel, and provided no people are physically present
Hotel Odor Control
Vehicle Reconditioning Industry
Produce Microbe Destruction
Chemical Oxidation Disinfection
Mausoleum Odor Control
Additional Rules & Regulations:
There are some additional rules to follow including how to use ozone machines, how to go about the purchase process, and how the devices must be labeled. Click on the arrow next to each rule to read more information:
Ozone Machine Buying Process
The buyer must apply for an industrial use exception by submitting their business information to the seller. The seller must confirm the legitimacy of the buyers information. After approval, the buyer must order by telephone only. No online website orders.
Ozone Machine Operation Rules
Ozone Machine Labeling Rules
Conclusion:
The California Air Resources Board actively enforces their rules & regulations pertaining to high-output ozone generators. We learned this the hard way. Even though our ozone machines are used primarily by industrial businesses, we didn't prevent regular home owners from buying them too. CARB encouraged us to accept their offer of a $29,000 fine versus fighting it and facing penalties a hundred times worse.
The good news is that at least now we're in compliance with CARB's rules & regulations and set up to provide businesses that qualify for an industrial use exception with a proper method to buy ozone generators in California.
Additional Resources:
Visit the MaxBlaster Website:
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