Ozone
Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen
atoms. 
It is found in both the upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can
be "good" or "bad" for your health and the environment, depending on its
location in the atmosphere. The U.S. EPA explains ozone as being "Good Up High, Bad Nearby".
The atmospheric or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles
(10 to 48 km) and protects life on the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet
(UV) rays. Atmospheric ozone is formed naturally through the interaction of
solar UV radiation with molecular oxygen (O2).
The ground-level
or "bad" ozone layer is the layer closest to the Earth's surface. It forms
primarily from reactions between two major classes of air pollutants: volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Ozone is harmful
to breathe and it damages crops, trees, and other vegetation.
Ambient Ozone
Regulations
Both the U.S. EPA, under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and the State of California Air Resources
Board (CARB), under the California Ambient Air Quality Standards, regulate ozone concentration. These standards define the maximum amount of ozone that can be present in outdoor air
without harming human health.
Ozone-generating air purifiers
Some home air-cleaning devices intentionally produce ozone, which the California Air Resource Board advises against using. CARB has a useful website with information about ozone generators and guides on selecting a safe air purifier for your home.