There is currently some disagreement among scientists regarding possible long-term changes in the hydroxyl level of earth's atmosphere. However, there is no disagreement whatsoever regarding the crucial role that hydroxyl plays in keeping earth's atmosphere healthy. Says Ronald Prinn, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: "This one molecule is very, very important. It is the critical cleaning chemical for the atmosphere."

Ken Minschwaner of New Mexico Tech concurs. "OH [hydroxyl] reacts with just about everything," he says, and thus hydroxyl is "important for cleansing the atmosphere of pollutants." And M. A. K. Khalil, Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, describes hydroxyl molecules as "the chemical scavengers of the atmosphere." So hydroxyl molecules appear to play the key role in cleansing earth's atmosphere of harmful pollutants and organic compounds.

But how does the mechanism of atmospheric cleaning work in practical terms? According to the Environmental Health Center, "the ultraviolet that reaches the troposphere [the region of the atmosphere nearest earth's surface] plays a big role in creating hydroxyl." In turn, hydroxyl then "tends to react quickly with other molecules in the atmosphere. Hydroxyl ions and ultraviolet radiation seem to be responsible for much of the eventual destruction of methane, some halocarbons, and a number of other atmospheric pollutants."

According to the Atmospheric Chemistry Glossary, 2003 Version, hydroxyl (OH) consists of "one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom which does not normally exist in a stable form." It explains that the primary source of hydroxyl in the atmosphere is the "1) photolysis of hydrogen peroxide, heat, and light and 2) the attack on water of an excited oxygen radical."

Dr. Richard Foust, Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University, explains further how hydroxyl molecules are produced. "The primary process is one where an O-H bond of the water molecule is broken to form a hydrogen atom (H- ) and a hydroxyl radical (HO- ). The hydrogen atom can then react with another water molecule to form hydrogen and a second hydroxyl radical, or with an oxygen molecule (O₂) to form a second hydroxyl radical and an oxygen atom. The new oxygen atom can then react with another water molecule to form two new hydroxyl radicals."

Is it possible for us to make beneficial use of hydroxyl molecules, cleansing the air inside our own homes in the same way they work to cleanse the earth's atmosphere? The answer, fortunately for us, is Yes.

The key is to make use of certain key wavelengths of strong ultraviolet (UV) light, which, in the presence of water molecules occurring as moisture in the air, produces hydroxyl molecules. This process mimics the natural production of hydroxyl in the atmosphere through ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. This also results in the breakdown of organic material in the air by the hydroxyl. The organic particles in room air are decomposed into harmless carbon dioxide and water through chemical action.

4.56 Ultraviolet (UV) Oxidation, a publication of the [U.S.] Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, explains how hydroxyl oxidizes and breaks down even dangerous substances and renders them harmless. "A wide variety of organic and explosive contaminants are susceptible to destruction by UV/oxidation, including petroleum hydrocarbons; chlorinated hydrocarbons used as industrial solvents and cleaners; and ordnance compounds such as TNT, RDX, and HMX. In many cases, chlorinated hydrocarbons that are resistant to biodegradation may be effectively treated by UV/oxidation. Typically, easily oxidized organic compounds, such as those with double bonds (e.g., TCE, PCE, and vinyl chloride), as well as simple aromatic compounds (e.g., toluene, benzene, xylene, and phenol), are rapidly destroyed in UV/oxidation processes."

Additionally, Hydroxyl ions are extremely short-lived molecules. They usually exist for no longer than a second or so before becoming involved in an air-cleansing chemical reaction. That is precisely the reason why it has been so difficult to accurately measure hydroxyl levels in the earth's atmosphere. But it also means that there need be no concern about hydroxyl molecules accumulating inside the home. Many ozone-generating air purifiers, on the other hand, have the ability to quickly raise the ozone concentration in a room to potentially unhealthy levels if not carefully monitored.

Hydroxyl has well been called "Mother Nature's Broom." Hydroxyl molecules play a crucial role in helping to keep the earth's atmosphere clear of chemical pollutants as well as helping to break down potentially harmful airborne organic compounds. And through the use of hydroxyl-generating air purifying equipment in the home, we can enjoy cleaner, fresher air in our indoor environment as well.

The Air Probe Sanitizer™ ultraviolet-C central air purifier also produces negative hydroxyl ions, as the above article describes. Please click here for information on this product.