A BRIGHT IDEA!
Light bulb promises to remove dust, germs and bacteria from homes

Published Sunday, November 2, 2003
by Kelli Kennedy

The evolution of the light bulb has remained relatively stagnant since Edison’s invention in 1879, until now. One local company says they’re offering relief to allergy suffers by promising to kill airborne bacteria, germs, fungi, mold, mildew and smoke with the help of a light bulb they’re calling the O•ZONELite™. The system uses light, which reacts with a titanium dioxide-based chemical catalyst as air passes through. The result is oxidation, which attacks and destroys microbes by disintegrating their DNA. The reaction also kills dust mites and mold, according to a 1997 research study by the University of Florida.

Boca Raton resident, David deMartino, and partner, William C. Stone, took the study and developed a product for consumers to use in their own homes. They’re hoping to target mothers looking to sanitize their children’s nursery and smokers looking to get rid of the smoke odors. “Unlike Lysol and other sprays that just mask the odors, O•ZONELite™ actually eliminates it,” says Stone.

Although no one in her family smokes, Ann Maher says her older Boca Raton home smelled so strongly of cigarettes and mildew from previous owners that she didn’t know what to do. "Cleaning the air vents didn’t seem to help", said Maher, who replaced four light bulbs in her home with O•ZONELite's. “I actually forgot that I had them in,” said Maher. “And one day I came home and the smell was completely gone. I’ve seen a huge difference.” The mother of two says she has also noticed an improvement with her children’s allergies since using the bulb.

“With this system, contaminants are destroyed rather than transferred. No toxic chemicals are employed,” said University of Florida laboratory director, Yogi Goswami. Allergy and asthma suffers may find great relief once dust mites and mold spores are eliminated from the air they breathe, he said.

According to the EPA, the air in your home may be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outside. Una Kohlman says she was skeptical at first about a light bulb that promised to help with her allergies. “It’s hard to believe that a light bulb can do this, but it does,” said Kohlman, who is allergic to dust and ragweed. “The air is better. I don’t sneeze as much and I definitely notice a difference in the odors.”

“It’s the future of indoor air quality,” says Stone, who [also] says the product is more cost-effective than HEPA filters, which only trap airborne particals. DeMartino, who has worked in his family’s lighting company for 20 years, said he knew he had to start a company featuring the bulbs after he heard about the study. “All of us involved with the O•ZONELite™ follow a simple but heartfelt philosophy put forth by Thomas Edison,” said Stone. “Edison once said, ‘There’s always a way to do it better… find it!’ We’d like to think that having created a light bulb that actually helps clean the environment safely and naturally while also conserving energy would make Edison very happy.” Partner, David deMartino, who has worked in his family’s lighting company for 20 years, said, "When I saw the improved technology and potential energy savings, I knew I wanted to apply it to a new company. At the time, though, I never would have guessed that these compact fluorescent bulbs would also be the future of purer, safer air. This is a truly remarkable discovery that I am very proud to be a part of.”

Info: The 23-watt O•ZONELite™ retails for $39.95 each. For more information visit www.ozonelite.com or call 800-494-8292.

Copyright ©2003 Boca Raton News

Boca Raton News article