[TenTec] OT

[Carter]

John wrote:
>  Here is a little tip we just learned. My son kc2iyg just bought a
>  laptop computer used.  The computer was a good deal but it stunk to
>  high heaven from tobacco smoke .  We took a chance , he first wiped
>  the surface of the notebook down with a antibacterial wipe and then
>  he dug out a small Ionizer .  He placed the Ionizer next to the
>  notebook and covered both with a plastic tucker tote ( a med sized
>  trash can of sorts ) and let it do it's thing for 4 hours .  Well he
>  pulled the notebook out and to our surprise the smoke smell was
>  almost completely gone !  I thought this might work with some radios
>  we some times  pick up for a song and the previous owner was a smoker

John and Mike,
Thanks for the tip.

However, I have two concerns:

First, ozone from the 'Ionizer' is quite reactive. It can damage stuff 
like rubber (to say nothing of your lungs). I have seen published the 
fact that ozone can cause as much cell damage as gamma radiation. 
Definitely nasty stuff.

Finally, is it just doing a 'superficial' job? By that I mean it may 
just be getting rid of the smell (which I realize is one of your goals), 
but is it actually removing the yellow gunk that is coating the item in 
question? When I have scrubbed the front panel or cabinet of ham 
equipment from a smoker, you would be amazed at the yellow sludge that 
comes off. Will the ionizer actually remove that -- or do you still have 
the sludge, but it just doesn't smell anymore?

73,
Carter K8VT