Effects of an Ozone-Based Domestic Clothes Washer/Dryer on Indoor Air Quality: A Probabilistic Risk Assessment Study

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this work, the authors try to estimate the impact of the use of ozone generators in cloth dryers in the indoor environment.

The methodology applied includes various scenarios, however, although the authors stated that the most important factor formatting indoor ozone levels is the external environment, they do not assess outdoor environment impact, with no interior ozone sources. This is considered as a methodological drawback/weakness.

The final part is entitled “discussion”, however it is more likely the presentation of conclusions. Moreover, in this section, there is a discussion on energy saving etc. which is irrelevant here and, if it should be added, it would be more appropriate to be included in the introduction.

Author Response

The methodology applied includes various scenarios, however, although the authors stated that the most important factor formatting indoor ozone levels is the external environment, they do not assess outdoor environment impact, with no interior ozone sources. This is considered as a methodological drawback/weakness.

We agree with the point raised here. The assessment of outdoor ozone risk was requiring a complete different methodology, for example, taking account of seasonal changes for this pollutant. The scope of this study was limited to characterizing home risk for the washer/dryer in normal use and, eventually, after a major failure. For this reason we did not assess the outdoor environment impact here, leaving out complex variables for this study. We hope that the reviewer will accept this approach, here.

The final part is entitled “discussion”, however it is more likely the presentation of conclusions. Moreover, in this section, there is a discussion on energy saving etc. which is irrelevant here and, if it should be added, it would be more appropriate to be included in the introduction.

Thank you for the point. We do agree again with the suggestion. We modified Introduction and split the Discussion paragraph, adding a "Conclusions" paragraph.

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

the manuscript "Effect of an ozone-based domestic clothes washer/dryer on indoor air quality: a probabilistic risk assessment study" by Davoli et al., Manuscript ID: applsci-2000248 is certainly interesting for Applied Sciences readers. Therefore, before being accepted for publication, I believe that some parts need to be improved.

I advise the authors to deeply revise the introduction and make it more harmonious, in the current form they seem settling periods without continuity.

A paragraph discussion, more than a discussion seems like a semi-conclusion. Therefore I advise the authors to introduce the new conclusions paragraph and rewrite it by expanding the discussion paragraph.

Author Response

I advise the authors to deeply revise the introduction and make it more harmonious, in the current form they seem settling periods without continuity.

Thank you for the point. We modified the introduction paragraph.

A paragraph discussion, more than a discussion seems like a semi-conclusion. Therefore I advise the authors to introduce the new conclusions paragraph and rewrite it by expanding the discussion paragraph.

Again, we thank the reviewer for the suggestions. We introduced the conclusions and expanded the discussion by adding a closing sentence in the discussion.