Chemical odors arrive indoors from a wide variety of sources including new furniture, building materials, new carpet and flooring , cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, carpet cleaners and fresh paint.
It normally takes time for chemicals to release, or 'off-gas', from materials or substances. Even after a varnish has dried or solidified, it may still be off-gassing for days, weeks, or months. Ozone helps to speed up this off-gassing process, but it still may take time, especially odors that are deeply embedded, or a part of the materials.
However, with lighter odors on the surface of materials, ozone may be able to eliminate them fairly easily.
Caution: Ozone often breaks down chemicals into other compounds that can also be harmful. Extra care must be taken to fully ventilate the area after treatment by opening windows and doors or using fans to vacate the chemicals.
Just Painted? It's important to wait several days after painting to use an ozone generator. The chemicals released by the drying paint will be so heavy in the air that they will have a negative effect on the ozone output. These airborne chemicals will come through the machines and adhere to the ceramic plates. So, it is important to wait several days after painting before using an ozone generator.
Just Shampooed the Carpet? The carpet should be completely dry before running the ozone generator. Heavy chemicals found in carpet cleaners can adhere to the ceramic plates and inhibit their performance.