The product itself is great for those with respiratory issues because of the additional ways it works, I am sure (it has a HEPA filter as well as a carbon filter.) It's very unlikely that the ionic feature is doing much to add to the effectiveness and will only make you worry. So I do agree that returning it is probably your best bet, since you can find a great purifier with HEPA and carbon filters (and perhaps even the addition of a UV) that will work just as well, or better, without the ionic/ozone worry.