a. What is ozone?
Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms. It is created when the sun’s rays break up an oxygen molecule (O2) into single independent atoms and then they in turn re-attach to another oxygen molecule to form ozone (O3).
Ozone(O3) is created through rain, thunderstorm, waterfall, plant photosynthesis and moving water.
It is highly reactive and unstable relative to oxygen (O2). It has a half-life of 20 minutes which means that half of the ozone that is not used to oxidize pollutants will revert to oxygen in 20 minutes.
Within the atmosphere that we live in on the ground, it is a proven fact that ozone is supremely effective in killing harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mould and fungi by destroying these at their molecular DNA level. It is also proven to eliminate various harmful carcinogenic gases and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the air we breathe and the surfaces we touch. It is also nature’s most powerful weapon to oxidize and neutralize allergenic organic compounds such pet dander and the protein in the faeces of dust mites etc.
Ozone has been proven to be the most effective disinfectant currently known to mankind. Ozone when infused into water is 50 times more powerful and over 3000 times faster acting than chlorine bleach. Ozone is been used for sterilizing the water supply in most of the developed countries and also for microbial eradication in the food supply chain.
For more info on question (e)
b. Some online articles said that ozone is harmful, is it true?
Ozone (O3) is proven to be highly effective in killing single celled organisms like bacteria, viruses and mould. So, it is natural to ask if it has the same effect on multicellular organism like human beings and animals.
Ozone(O3) does not in any way affect the cells of higher life forms such as animals and humans – meaning human beings do not suffer from any adverse effects from the ozone (O3), there is research to prove otherwise. Ozone is ever-present in the air we breathe, albeit at various concentration levels.
Amazingly when there are higher levels of pollution in the environment, the more ozone is produced by nature in its attempt to eliminate the pollution. So, the clear answer is that ozone is definitely not harmful to human beings but is essential to sustaining life on earth.
c. Is there such thing – good ozone and bad ozone?
There are many misconceptions, misunderstandings and indeed a great amount of misleading information surrounding ozone and its use. This is mainly rooted in a study that was conducted by the National Research Council and used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States in its recommendations.
In short: A study was conducted on the impact of hydrocarbon emissions from vehicles and industries on human mortality rates. Pollution from vehicles and industries commonly referred to as “smog” – which consist mainly of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other hydrocarbons – are on all accounts correctly reported as bad for human health. Also found within this group of pollutants was ozone. Because – remember – where there are higher levels of pollutants in the environment, there will be a higher level of ozone to help clean it.
Unfortunately, ozone was clustered in together with these other volatile pollutants and became a part of this group that made up “smog”. The higher the smog, the higher the ozone. Ozone then erroneously became the word to define these chemicals and by-products from the combustion of hydrocarbon. In other words, the study ended up using the word “ozone” to mean smog and pollution – thus portraying ozone as something entirely negative and detrimental to health when its very existence is to help the environment and our health. The definition can be found only in the first footnote in the Summary page of the study – “Estimating Mortality Risk Reduction and Economic Benefits from Controlling Ozone Air Pollution” – there is no mention of the definition thereafter, anytime and anywhere.
EPA has referred to smog as “ozone pollution” or “ground level ozone” (with no explanation that it defines “smog” as “ozone”), building the misconception that ozone is unhealthy. The reality is that smog (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other hydrocarbons) is bad for human health even at very low levels. Concluding that ozone is bad because it is found when there are high levels of environmental pollution is like saying policemen are bad because they are found where there are high levels of crime. It does not make sense and is entirely wrong.
For too many years ozone has been continuously buried under this erroneous and misleading definition of what it is, with many articles, professionals and marketing materials unknowingly quoting EPA. To compound this problem, sources that are derived from nature cannot be patented or owned, therefore ozone has also had a very difficult time finding a champion or powerful voice to lend itself to touting its benefits to our societies, businesses and to general consumer groups.
Please read more on question (d)
d. According to credible online sources such as the EPA, ozone is considered dangerous even at very low level. Is that true?
EPA has referred to smog as “ozone pollution” or “ground level ozone” (with no explanation that it defines “smog” as “ozone”), building the misconception that ozone is unhealthy. The reality is that smog (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other hydrocarbons) is bad for human health, while ozone (O3) is good. Concluding that ozone is bad because it is found when there are high levels of environmental pollution is like saying policemen are bad because they are found where there are high levels of crime. It does not make sense and is entirely wrong.
For too many years ozone has been continuously buried under this erroneous and misleading definition of what it is, with many articles, professionals and marketing materials unknowingly quoting EPA. To compound this problem, sources that are derived from nature cannot be patented or owned, therefore ozone has also had a very difficult time finding a champion or powerful voice to lend itself to touting its benefits to our societies, businesses and to general consumer groups.
Remember, whenever you hear or read that “ozone” is harmful or hazardous, they are referring to smog (or as referred to by EPA as ground level ozone or “ozone pollution”).
Medklinn Air+Surface Sterilizers emit controlled level of active oxygen, of which ozone (O3) is a compound.
Please refer to (e).
e. Are there any scientific or research paper to prove that ozone is safe for use?
Ozone (O3) is created by the mother nature to eliminate pollution in the air. Therefore, it is ever-present in the air we breathe. Its creation is critical and essential to sustaining life on earth.
There are many studies on ozone as follow:
– Ozone Air Quality Standards: EPA’s 2015 Revision
– WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide
– Environmental Protection Agency: National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone; Final Rule
– OSHA: Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings
– U.S. FDA Regulatory Approval of Ozone as an Antimicrobial Agent – What Is Allowed and What Needs to Be Understood
– Ozone Tech Brief – A National Drinking Water Clearinghouse Fact Sheet
– EPA Guidance Manual – Alternative Disinfectants and Oxidants: Ozone
f. Is ozone safe for babies?
Yes, it is safe for babies. In fact, it is safe for everyone.
Please refer to (b).
g. Is ozone present in the air we breathe?
Yes. Ozone (O3) is ever present in the air we breathe but the concentration level is different at different places at different times.
Please refer to (a).
h. What is the safe level of ozone for humans?
Ozone (O3) is ever-present in the air we breathe, so it is safe although at very high concentrtation (>3.0ppm), it is difficult to breathe.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) , the guidelines for Ozone O3 in the workplace are
• 0.2 ppm for no more than 2 hours exposure
• 0.1 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure doing light work
• 0.08 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure doing moderate work
• 0.05 ppm for 8 hours per day exposure doing heavy work
According to NIOSH , the recommended exposure limit for ozone is 0.1 ppm (0.2 mg/m3) for 24 hours exposure.
Medklinn Air+Surface Sterilizers emit active oxygen which is made up of negative ion (O-) and controlled level of ozone (O3). With our patented CerafusionTM Technology, the ozone (O3) level is controlled within 0.05ppm for the recommended coverage areas of the respective models.
i. Ozone kills bacteria, viruses and mould. Is it dangerous for human?
Bacteria, viruses and mould are single celled organism that are easily killed by ozone. However, ozone does not in any way affect higher life forms such as animals and humans – meaning humans do not suffer from any adverse effects from ozone. Therefore, it is not dangerous for humans and animals in fact it is critical and essential to sustaining life on earth.
