Ozone is an excellent sanitation method. Ozone molecules change their molecular structure to carbon dioxide and hydrogen when they come in contact with a pollutant. It is impossible for the odor to return after viruses and bacteria are destroyed. Not just the air that is pulled into it, but all the air around it is treated by ozone. A quick method for eliminating bacteria, neutralizing viruses, stopping mold and removing odors, ozone sanitation leaves your indoor space smelling as fresh as a daisy.
1. How it Works?
Oxygen atoms are naturally converted to ozone in the atmosphere. High-voltage current is used in ozone generators to break down oxygen molecules into single atoms. Once these atoms have been broken down, they are attached to other oxygen molecules in the air to form ozone (O3).
In any hard or soft surface, including carpets, curtains, fabrics, keyboards, pens, and any other object within the treatment area, the Ozone generator rapidly fills the area with this gas in order to achieve a high concentration of oxygen. Once this occurs, bacteria and viruses are killed and neutralized. After the treatment cycle is over, the Ozone gas (O3) simply reverts to Oxygen (O2) without leaving any toxic residue behind.
2. Why is Ozone Used as a Sanitation Method?
Ozone works as perfect disinfection method for indoor spaces, including odorous compounds such as smoke and organic matter such as viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. The majority of infections occur when anaerobes invade oxygen-deprived environments. By denying the cells oxygen, ozone disinfection encourages the growth of anaerobic microorganisms.
As the enzymatic reactions are slowed down by an abundance of harmful bacteria, metabolic wastes accumulate, and eventually the cells die. Ozone is the most effective disinfectant for all microorganisms according to the World Health Organization.
When it comes to areas with a high touch surface that cannot be reached by chlorine or bleach, ozone sanitation is excellent. Besides killing pathogens on surfaces the gas touches, ozone can also kill pathogens in the air. By disinfecting hard-to-reach spots with ozone, such as inside air conditioning ducts, filing cabinets, carpets and floor coverings, upholstery fabrics, pillows and bedding, clothing left hanging in treatment areas, pens and keyboards, and behind furniture, ozone is more efficient than liquid chlorine.
3. What is the History of Ozone Sanitation?
There is nothing new about ozone sanitation. Developed in the 1840s by the German chemist Schönbein to purify water, it was first used in water purification processes. In 1893, ozone was first applied at large scale in Oudtshoorn, the Netherlands. During the 1900s, a unit for disinfecting water mains was installed in Nice following the study of this ozone installation by French scientists.
4. How is Ozone Sanitation Used?
Indoor spaces including ventilation ducts are treated with ozone to limit the spread of airborne microorganisms.
Using ozone as a disinfectant eliminates the need to use harmful chemical disinfectants in the dairy industry, for example. Hospitals with high sanitation standards and frequent cleaning practices often use chemical disinfectants to wipe surfaces frequently. This reduces the spread of pathogens in these hospitals. You can learn more about different applications of ozone here.
5. Where is Ozone Sanitation Used?
- Hospitality venues
- Houses
- Hospitals
- Apartments
- Beauty Salons
- Gyms / Pilates and Yoga studios
- Indoor sports centers
- Cinema complexes
- Rideshare vehicles
- Medical practices
- Hotels and resorts
- Child indoor play centers
- Showrooms
- Holiday accommodation
- Childcare centers
- Offices and commercial premises
- Aged care facilities
- Retail stores and boutiques
6. Does Ozone Kill Bacteria in the Air?
A specific concentration of Ozone gas is achieved and maintained for a period of time within the treatment area to disinfect anything in the area. Any surface or object within the treatment area is included, as is the air in the space.
It is effective at killing bacteria and neutralizing viruses and mold.
It is not always possible to achieve a higher elimination percentage since rooms are not always completely air tight.
7. What is the Difference Between Cleaning and Sanitation?
Surfaces are cleaned in order to remove germs and dirt. Infections are not caused by cleaning; they are caused by removing or reducing the number of germs on a surface.
Sanitation is the process of killing germs by using chemicals. Bacteria and viruses cannot reproduce when they are sanitized.
It is recommended that you clean the area and remove all dust, dirt, and odor sources first. The air that is generated by ozone generators does not contain particulates such as dust or pollen (which can trigger allergies).
8. Why is Ozone Better than Chlorine as a Disinfectant?
When purifying water, ozone purifies it three thousand times quicker. The benefits of ozone include its potency, speed, and chemical-free properties. The ozone generator machine is cheaper in the long run than buying chemicals.
9. Is Ozone Sanitation Dangerous?
The use of ozone generators can be dangerous in high concentrations for humans and pets. In addition to being lung irritants, ozone can damage the lungs. Excessive exposure to ozone can be harmful to individuals with respiratory diseases, asthma, and other lung conditions. Therefore, it is important that human or animal cannot be in a room where an ozone generator is operating during the entire time it is running.
Untrained individuals can not only be dangerous, but also ineffective when handling generic ozone generators. Ozone is not effective for killing bacteria or for inactivating some viruses, spores, and cysts at low levels. It requires a more complicated setup than chlorine, requiring complex high output equipment that calculates the treatment time according to the concentration of Ozone and the size of the area, as well as preparing the treatment area.
10. How Long Does it Take Ozone to Kill Bacteria?
Once it reaches a high concentration of >7ppm, ozone kills bacteria and neutralizes viruses. A treatment time will vary depending on where the patient is treated, how large it is, and how airtight it is. Our ozone generators offer treatment with the duration of 20 to 30 minutes only.
Bottom Line
These ozone machines can get rid of odor-causing microorganisms no matter how dirty uniforms and equipment are, how humid the room is, or how wet the air is.
At Ozongenerators, we specialize in designing and manufacturing ozone generators that are safe and environmentally friendly for air treatment. Check out our best ozone generators to ensure sanitation of your indoor environment here.