What is ozone?
Ozone (O3) is a gas naturally found in the atmosphere, known for being highly oxidative. This property makes it an excellent disinfectant; however, it must be handled with caution.
Is ozone dangerous?
It is important to note that exposure to high concentrations of ozone can be dangerous, which is why regulations limit human exposure. The NOM-020-SSA1-2014 standard, which sets the permissible concentration of O3, establishes a limit of 0.070 ppm in continuously inhabited areas, not exceeding an eight-hour period. Other references, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allow up to 0.12 ppm for a period not exceeding one hour.
Need a quote? Request it here: (33)38340906
How is ozone generated?
Ozone is unstable at high concentrations and degrades easily under environmental conditions; therefore, it is not viable for storage. The equipment currently available generates ozone at the point of use. It can be produced through photochemical, electrolytic, and radioactive methods, with corona discharge being the most common. This method involves passing an oxygen flow through two electrodes with a high voltage applied. As diatomic oxygen molecules (O2) pass through the electric field, their bonds break, forming highly reactive monoatomic oxygen molecules (O·), which then react to form triatomic oxygen molecules, better known as ozone (O3).
How does ozone disinfect the environment?
As previously mentioned, ozone disinfects because it is highly oxidative, meaning it constantly seeks electrons to take from any compound it contacts. In other words, it reacts with any material until it breaks down. While larger organisms may experience minimal oxidation, microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi are completely destroyed.
Ozone also reaches areas that conventional disinfectants cannot, such as cracks, small openings, and hard-to-reach spaces within buildings. Since ozone is a gas, it can penetrate even the narrowest areas.
In enclosed spaces where people live or work, microorganisms can be present on surfaces (including clothing, skin, and mucous membranes) and in the air. In the latter case, they are found in saliva mist as well as airborne particles like dust and smoke. Ozone acts on all of these.
How can ozone be used for disinfection?
Commercial ozone generators for home use are designed to produce small doses. Additionally, they are programmed with a timer that turns the equipment on and off at the necessary intervals to avoid exceeding the maximum permissible concentration according to the room’s volume.
If a more thorough disinfection is needed, it is recommended that no people be present in the room while the ozone generator is in operation for a set period (e.g., 45 minutes with 15-minute breaks for a total of 2 hours). It is also advised to wait at least 10 minutes after the equipment has stopped working before re-entering. This ensures the room is fully disinfected, eliminating viruses and bacteria.
Once the ozone generator has operated at a high concentration (e.g., 0.4 g/h) for the required time, the room should be ventilated to eliminate any residual ozone and prevent harm to occupants.
What is ozone used for?
Ozone is a disinfectant used for sterilizing hospital rooms and public areas. Trained professionals with proper protective equipment use high concentrations of ozone to eliminate viruses and bacteria in specific areas. These large doses completely sterilize rooms and public spaces, ensuring there is no risk of infection for future occupants.
What contaminants does ozone eliminate?
Viruses and bacteria are a major concern today, making it essential to find alternatives to keep homes and workplaces clean and safe.
Ozone easily eliminates microorganisms by destroying the protective layer that shields their genetic material. These protective layers are mostly made of proteins, which O3 readily breaks down due to its oxidative activity, leaving the genetic material exposed. This results in the virus or bacteria being destroyed, preventing it from reproducing.
There is extensive research on the types of microorganisms that ozone effectively eliminates. Some of the most notable include Poliovirus, Phage, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, and any virus with a protein coat (such as the Coronavirus family).
Ozone concentrations between 39 mg and 49 mg over 40 minutes are sufficient to eliminate viruses. This means ozone is highly effective at removing these microorganisms.
Currently, there is no scientific evidence confirming that ozone can eliminate COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). However, based on previous studies on ozone’s effects against SARS-CoV-1, it may be a strong ally in combating this virus.
In addition to its disinfecting properties, O3 reacts with odor-causing molecules, providing deodorization benefits.
For these reasons, an environmental ozonizer is useful in homes, businesses, public spaces, hospitals, offices, and industries. Before purchasing an ozone generator, consider the room’s volume, its intended use (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.), and how frequently it is occupied.
Ozone Equipment Prices
Request a quote for an ozone generator for your home, office, or business:
(33)38340906
Or email us at: [email protected]
References
Nieto, Antonio. Ozono para la Purificación Ambiental. Mundo HVACR. [En línea] Mundo HVACR, 2009. https://www.mundohvacr.com.mx/2009/08/ozono-para-la-purificacion-ambiental/ CosemarOzono. Desinfección ambiental y eliminación de malos olores. [En línea] CosemarOzono. https://www.cosemarozono.com/soluciones/desinfeccion-ambiental/ asp asepsia. (2020). Obtenido de https://www.aspozono.es/coronavirus-desinfeccion-con-ozono.asp Caño, G. d. (05 de Mayo de 2020). Salud sin bulos. Obtenido de ¿Qué es el ozono y por qué se usa como desinfectante?: https://saludsinbulos.com/observatorio/ozono-desinfectante-covid19-biocida/ Hudson B., J., & Sharma, M. (2009). Development of a Practical Method for Using Ozone Gas as a Virus Decontaminating Agent. The Journal of the International Ozone Association, 216-223 Loynes, C. (12 de Mayo de 2020). Aeroqual. Obtenido de Does ozone sterilization kill the Coronavirus which causes COVID-19?: https://www.aeroqual.com/does-ozone-kill-coronavirus-covid-19 Nieto, A. (2018). Mundo HVACR. Obtenido de Aire Acondicionado Sectores de la industria: https://www.mundohvacr.com.mx/2009/08/ozono-para-la-purificacion-ambiental/ Thailand Medical News. (2020). Ozone Can Be Used To Destroy The New Coronavirus And Disinfect Areas. Obtenido de https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/ozone-can-be-used-to-destroy-the-new-coronavirus-and-disinfect-areas
