Odor removal

[Dan Torrey]

I have been cutting acrylic for several days and even with a exhaust fan of 600 cfms there is still a very distinct aroma lingering in my work area. I have used a scent neurtralizer, which is somewhat effective. Researching into my problem I came a across a 03 generator that is used to clear odors from just about everything. Removing pets, people and plants from the area is all it stated as needed to perform the odor removal with good ventilation after before going into the area. So I bought one and it works really well. But I don't know, nor does the company I purchased it from whether it would have any adverse effect on my laser. I wouldn't think so but I don't know for sure. Does anyone have any experience in this area?
Before I use it again I would like to verify its effect on my equipment....Anyone know?

[sebastien laforet]

03 generator
... whether it would have any adverse effect on my laser. I wouldn't think so but I don't know for sure.

your laser is a tube with sealed gas. there is no way for ozone to sneak in. otherwise, the rare gas in the tube would fly away quickly. but ozone is considered dangerous for humans, so i would make sure the area is well ventilated before working inside the room.

Ozone can cause the muscles in the airways to constrict, trapping air in the alveoli. This leads to wheezing and shortness of breath.
Ozone can:

Make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously.
Cause shortness of breath, and pain when taking a deep breath.
Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
Inflame and damage the airways.
Aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Increase the frequency of asthma attacks.
Make the lungs more susceptible to infection.
Continue to damage the lungs even when the symptoms have disappeared.
Cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

but i have to admit that acrylic stinks a lot, and getting rid of the odor is difficult. when i cut acrylic, i use a gas mask unless this is a very short job, i've seen that without the mask i may have headaches afterwards. as it is not a day-to-day job but a mere hobby, i don't expose myself too much but if i had to do it everyday i would invest in a complete air renewal solution, for example enclosing the laser hermetically and using a tube and fan to feed in fresh air and the standard exhaust to pump the polluted air far away, so that the stink does not pollute (too much) the room air.

[Gene Uselman]

I bought bags of activated charcoal and place them in the bottom of the cabinet- set out in the sun when the smell is noticeable again . I hate the smell of styrene, don't notice acrylic anymore.

[Dan Torrey]

Thanks to all who responded. I will use the generator with great precaution as instructed by the manufacturer since it is the only method so far that completely removes the odor created by cutting plastic. I think what Gene is using is the pic I have attached and I have 6 around the laser and for the most part are worthy of mentioning but the acrylic odor is a bit much as it lingers for days.

[Doug Fisher]

You are going to have that smell unless you remove all the residue produced during acrylic cutting. That means you have to clear out all of the little cut pieces that fell below, wipe down the interior of the laser and remove or thoroughly clean the laser cutting bed. The latter is a real pain if you have a honeycomb. Even after doing this, you will have some residue in you exhaust tubing and fan so you need to make sure no backdraft is coming through your vent system. I have to remove my window vent insert/mount to prevent backdraft. Some people have installed blast gates to stop the airflow (Home Depot and Lowes have these).

Many times I don't want to go though all of this so I just clean out all of the little cut pieces, place a large thick garbage bag cut to shape over the inside of my laser cutting area and keep the lid closed (plus also cutting off the backdraft). That does a fairly good job of containing the smell.

[Dan Torrey]

Thanks Doug, I will investigate the blast gate and further clean up after cutting, I operated the O3 generator last night and it did what I was hoping for. It almost eliminated the odor, which I think with further cleanup it will be good.

[Doug Fisher]

Please tell us about the ozone generator you bought and its pluses and minuses. I have been tempted to buy one but it seems they have good and bad points.

[Dan Torrey]

The generator was purchased through Amazon about $85.00. The brand is Enerzen and has an output of 6000mg with a fan size that is larger then most in the same class. So far I have treated my work area 2 times with, what I consider, great success and a 12 year minivan that has had quite a list of items hauled in it. It left a crisp clean air scent in the room and van, removing the evidence of the laser cutting and the typical aroma of work space. It is 110v and has a timer to set from 15 to 180 minutes of operation plus a setting that has continues operation. It also has replacement ceramic ozone plates available when the originals wear out and a cleanable filter. The cons, if any, I have not experience thus far. Keep in mind the three P's, no people, no pets, no plants in the room at the time of application and proper ventilation after the fact. This is the same technology used in cleaning my cpap equipment for treatment of sleep apnea. Any other questions feel free to contact me.

[Doug Fisher]

Thanks for the additional insights.