The Benefits of an Air Ozone Purifier
When ozone is used properly, it can remove strong odors and other pollutants. However, it is a dangerous chemical that can irritate the lungs and worsen respiratory conditions when present in high concentrations.
Ozone can also damage materials like rubber and plastic over time. It is important to follow manufacturer instructions when using an ozone generator.
Removing Bacteria and Germs
The germicidal effect of ozone has been shown in numerous tests to be very effective at killing bacteria, molds and fungus as well as inactivating viruses on surfaces and suspended in the air. In addition, ozone is very effective in cleaning up after a fire, treating smoke damage, and for disinfecting work areas of beauty or health professional.
Most ozone generators are sold with an “ionizer” built into the machine which releases negative ions into the air. While these ions do give objects in the room a charge (and attract dust and dirt), they do not release the amount of ozone required to effectively treat an odor or kill microbes. In fact, Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization that does research and advocacy on behalf of consumers, tested many of these devices to verify their claims of releasing negative ions and found that they released significantly less ozone than an ozone air cleaner at the same settings.
The reason ozone destroys bacteria and other microbes is that the molecules break apart in the air, diffusing through the cell wall of a bacterial organism and into the cytoplasm. There, they disrupt the organelles that direct a cell’s function. The same mechanism is thought to be how ozone destroys other fungi and protozoa, although more research is needed. This is one of the reasons medical and health professionals recommend basic health precautions such as covering your mouth when sneezing, sanitizing common household items and washing your hands. This is to protect from surface and droplet contact with germs, but it is not a complete solution to the problem of bacteria that is transmitted through the air.
Killing Mold and Mildew
When used correctly, an ozone generator can kill mold and mildew. It does this by attacking the organisms at the molecular level and destroying them. This is how it differs from traditional cleaning methods which rely on physical removal and direct interaction with the spores to eliminate them.
Because ozone can also attach itself to pollutants (like smoke) it can deodorize rooms quickly and effectively. The ozone will break down the pollutants into their components, releasing them back into the air as water and carbon dioxide, leaving no residue.
Ozone can be a very effective way to remove mildew and mold in homes after fire damage or flooding. It is air ozone purifier important to note, however, that ozone treatment will not prevent the growth of mold if it already exists in the home. If a mold remediation is not done in the correct manner, it will grow again and continue to emit spores that can cause respiratory problems.
It is also important to note that ozone will react with some chemicals such as formaldehyde and some paints. This can create harmful by-products such as aldehydes and formic acid. This is why ozone treatments are typically not performed before mold remediation efforts in occupied buildings.
Removing Odors
When ozone is exposed to odors or chemicals in the air, it oxidizes them and then reverts back to oxygen. It does this in the same way it kills bacteria and germs, so it can quickly remove bad smells from a room or vehicle. The odors may not be entirely removed, but they will be significantly reduced.
Odor removal is one of the main uses for ozone generators. Other uses include destroying mold, mildew and viruses and sterilizing the inside of an air conditioning system. Many people find that ozone works much better at removing odors than other air-cleaning devices, such as ionizers, which can often leave a room with a strange chemical odor or lingering smoke smell.
Ozone will attack the physical airborne cells that create odors and destroy them. This can be useful in eliminating odors caused by tobacco smoke, garbage disposals or cooking. It is also used to “shock” rooms containing odorous chemicals, such as new carpeting, which releases chemicals like styrene and formaldehyde into the air.
Concentrated ozone is sometimes used to decontaminate air ozone purifier vacant buildings in order to prevent health problems for employees or tenants. However, it is not recommended to use high concentrations of ozone in occupied spaces because it can be harmful. The ozone can attack the respiratory system of humans and pets, as well as deaden their sense of smell. This is why frequent, short duration ozone treatments are usually recommended.
Killing Bacteria and Germs
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that quickly disinfects surfaces and micro-particles that are floating in the air. It can kill bacteria, germs and fungus without the toxic side effects of chemical disinfectants. It destroys viruses and mould spores as well. It is a very effective sanitizer in high concentrations and is often used in hospitals to sterilize rooms and equipment prior to surgery and in the dairy industry for sanitizing equipment between uses. Ozone was also extremely useful during the coronavirus pandemic for sanitizing rooms and reducing infection in waiting areas.
In chemistry, the third oxygen atom on the ozone molecule makes it very reactive and scavenging, causing it to attach to pollutants in the air like smoke, odors, mold spores and viruses. It oxidizes the organic material on these contaminants, breaking down their cell walls and eliminating them at the molecular level. It then reverts back to oxygen, leaving no harmful residue or chemical toxicity.
Many ozone generators are designed to be portable so they can be used in restaurants, offices, hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins for cleaning and deodorizing. Large garment bags can be used to hold work clothes and shoes, allowing them to be cleaned while still being worn, thus avoiding the hassle of taking off and washing dirty clothing. Ozone is even used in the food processing and canning industries to sanitize floors, machinery and containers.