The main cause of ozone depletion and the ozone hole is manufactured chemicals, especially manufactured halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants, and foam- blowing agents (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, halons), referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

As forests and the underlying peat layer burn, they emit visible pollution in the form of smoke, soot, and ash. Although the ingredients for ozone can be found in urban pollution, “pollutants from fires might cause a significant increase in ozone levels, even far downwind from the fires,” she said.

Released by burning, nitrogen oxides are among the components of smoke that leads to the formation of ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can make breathing difficult, particularly for children, older adults, and people with lung disease or asthma.

Negative and positive ions have indeed been shown to have bactericidal effects. In addition, since ozone is generated along with ions, these may contribute to the bacterial killing.

Air purifiers with HEPA filtration efficiently capture particles the size of (and far smaller than) the virus that causes COVID-19, so the answer is yes. Back to purifiers: The virus that causes COVID-19 is approximately 0.125 micron (125 nanometers) in diameter.

Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

While they are not effective against odors, VOCs or other gaseous pollutants, they do not produce any ozone.