Wimshurst Machine Build, Ozone Production

[Sefrez]

I've seen the electrostatic generators as a student but never had a chance to operated one. So I built one. A small one using compact disks.

Now I am in the process of building a larger one, using two 12 inch disks cut from acrylic. I've got the completed disks (32 sectors each), base structure, driving mechanism, along with the brushes. I.e. I can create a charge build up on the sectors by driving the disks. Maximal voltage possible is quickly reached given there are no collectors dissipating charge away (say to leyden jars). As compared with my compact disk wimshurst, the scent of ozone is much greater (you would expect).

Doing some research, I have found that ozone concentrations over about 0.1 ppm is considered hazardous to be inhaling. At the scale of this machine and considering the various locations of dielectric breakdown, would those levels be easily reached? Surely I can't expect someone to tell me the level of ozone my particular machine generates, but perhaps to some order of magnitude that would indicate a range near or above 0.1 ppm being highly probable or improbable under a usual indoors environment.

Iv'e been cranking the disks quite a bit, working in the build to get everything running smoothly and precisely. Before the ozone production hadn't been a concern to me as doing research on these generators and ozone production together has failed to place it's production in the dangerous regions. I actually found just one (unsupported) claim that the levels were too low to cause for concern.

But, since about 24 hours ago when I stopped working on the build I have been having some chest tightness and pain. It's a familiar problem I have had with allergies / asthma in the past. It could be that, but the timing indicates otherwise.

 

[Evo]

We would have no way of knowing what your machine is producing. I suggest seeing a doctor for your medical complaints.

 

[Sefrez]

I want to clarify that I am not asking for the production given specifically by my machine. I am looking for any knowledge on the levels that such machines produce at these scales. An order of magnitude perhaps. Thanks.

 

[russ_watters]

According to the EPA, the amount of ozone generated by so called ozone air purifiers is enough to raise a room's ozone concentration above EPA/OSHA limits.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Since, from a safety standpoint, you have no idea what you are doing, and when you don't know if you are safe you should assume you are unsafe, I strongly recommend you discontinue your experiments.

Thread closed as there is no other advice we can possibly offer on the use of a device we know nothing about.