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The health and safety of ozone gas
IS IT SAFE TO USE OZONE ?
One of the more common questions is about ozone use and its
safety. Ozone has been known for almost a century now, and quite a lot is known about it.
When used correctly, like cleaners or chemicals, ozone
is safe.
| Top name brand air purifiers use small
amounts of ozone to purify air. Most that have used the ionic breeze
type purifiers (approx. 10-15mghr ozone output) understand the limited ability of
ionic breeze air purifiers at reducing strong odors. In addition,
using an ozone air purifier which does not have adequate ozone output will
result in incomplete shock treatments, sometimes leaving contaminants and gasses
that would have been oxidized with enough ozone. A high power ozone
generator matched to the ozone treatment area is required for effective results.
It is important to differentiate between an ozone air purifier designed for
air purification, and a high power ozone generator designed for
ozone shock
treatment. Many ozone air purifier products are sold for remediation
uses that have little ability to perform an actual shock treatment.
o3ozone ozone generators can sterilize surfaces and purify air with
shock treatments; eliminate
odor sources with oxidation. To KILL MOLD, sterilize surfaces, it is
necessary to choose the correct sized ozone generator. Call us toll free
at 866-225-3858 or see our
Selection Page
to view approx. coverage ability of each ozone generator. Ozone generators
are rated for 3 levels of ability; air purification use, mild shock treatment, and
commercial shock treatment. |
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Ozone generators designed for high level
shock
treatments are used by professionals for fire, flood,
mold, and odor remediation in unoccupied spaces only. Ozone in extreme
concentration will kill residual mold through the oxidation process.
This procedure prevents re-growth of mold.
It is important to differentiate the ozone equipment used for mold
remediation, and the ozone air purifiers commonly sold as powerful air
cleaners. Low output ozone generators are sold as high powered air
purifiers and are still powerful enough and capable of producing levels
of ozone that can damage lungs and are not recommended for
occupied
air purification without precise monitoring using appropriate
digital monitoring or controlling equipment.
Shock
treatment ozone generators often produce 100X + the
amount of ozone produced by ozone generators sold as “ozone air
purifiers”. |
Active ozone in the air is not recommended for anyone with
Asthma or Emphazima;
however, ozone
shock
treatments can be beneficial in removing residual irritating contamination
such as mold, bacteria, dust mites, fumes, and allergens, making the atmosphere
less irritating to those with allergies, asthma. If you are suffering from
Asthma or Emphazima and are looking for air-purification you can benefit from
choosing a HEPA rated air purifier filter with a gas and odor Carbon filter such
as the
IQAir HealthPro Plus,
Allerair AirMedic Exec,
Austin Air Healthmate, or the
NQ Environmental Clarifier Purifier. Many other models are available
for custom tailored needs, please call 330-497-6900 and let us help you
determine the correct product for your application.
Most popular HEPA Carbon Allergy Air Purifier
we Sell:
IQAir HealthPro Plus
As with other cleaners, chemicals, and
devices, when instructions are not followed, ozone can be misused. Ozone is an oxidizer found naturally in the environment we live and breathe
in. Ozone in sufficient
shock
treatment concentration and time will oxidize the throat and respiratory tract.
Short over-exposure is usually not dangerous and the symptoms include dry mouth, sore
throat, and headaches in some. These symptoms
can be relieved by the simple application of fresh air. It is also good news that
there are no deaths reported from ozone's misuse.
For most applications, we recommend that ozone be used in the
shock treatment manner. This is a
very effective use for an ozone generator which has the ability to sterilize rooms.
While ozone generators have a large capacity for occupied air-purification, we recommend
the shock treatment use. Government warnings such as from the EPA refer to the
dangers of using an ozone generator for occupied air purification use. These
warnings are not referring to the shock treatment use of ozone.
Some of the statements given by the EPA include:
"Available scientific evidence shows that, at concentrations that do not exceed
public health standards, ozone is generally ineffective in controlling indoor
air pollution."
and:
"The concentration of ozone would
have to greatly exceed health standards to be effective in removing most indoor
air contaminants."
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Understand that shock
treatment use of ozone greatly exceeds public health standards for
occupied areas. The small amount of ozone considered acceptable by
the EPA for occupied use is just that, a very small amount of ozone
which cannot oxidize contaminants effectively. |
Ozone can be used
for occupied air purification, especially for smoke or smoking odor at lower
ozone output levels, but
sophisticated monitoring is recommended.
Because ozone can be misused by producing much larger amounts of ozone than products
labeled and sold only as "air purifiers", you will not find large consumer products
retailers and stores offering high-powered ozone generators that can produce large amounts
of ozone. For example, one popular brand name air purifier unit produces approx. 15mghr of
ozone. While the smaller amount of ozone cannot be misused, the product will have
limited ability to purify air, and no ability to kill germs on surfaces with a
shock treatment from an
ozone generator. All products on the market labeled as air purifiers will
have minimum, or no production of ozone. If the air purifier is labeled an
ozone generator / air purifier, it can be misused, especially if directions are
nor followed.
Ozone generators, while having a great ability to purify air on the lower settings, are
not simply air purifiers, they can be misused, and should not be sold strictly as air
purifiers.
However, Ozone is much less a danger than regular household bleach, and many other
chemicals found in the average home. *Another positive point is ozone has a short
life expectancy. Get to know
ozone depletion. *(ozone is depleted much more rapidly in
high temperatures, than in low temperatures. At COLD temperatures, such as
freezing, ozone may not be depleted for over 30 Days. It is important to
use ozone in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.) See
understanding ozone depletion.
Shock treatments are to be performed only while rooms or areas are un-occupied.
People, plants pets, and other deodorizers must be removed for the shock
treatment.
CLICK HERE! to learn more
about ozone in nature, and
ozone air treatment.
Disclaimer:
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While Ozone can be used for occupied air
purification, o3ozone cannot take responsibility for the misuse or improper
implementation of ozone. Ozone in high concentration is an industrial cleaning
tool and directions must be followed. In addition, we recommend signs indicating
ozone gas use - "do not enter" - and locking doors for ozone shock treatments.
If you cannot take the responsibility necessary to handle high levels of ozone, we
recommend that you do not purchase an ozone generator. Due to the nature
of these products Allergy Purifiers LLC reserves the right to sell or not to
sell any products on our web site to any individual or company or organization.
After a
shock treatment levels of ozone
have depleted, it is normal to smell a pleasant "bleach-like" oxidation aroma.
Although it often seems ozone is still there, the level is below the level where
active oxidation from a high ozone level exists. This can be confirmed if you
have purchased a high quality
ozone monitor that offers a real time reading.
Sometimes, an ozone shock treatment can help expose low quality building
materials that are constantly off-gassing due to instable, improperly cured
compounds, such as has been found with some carpet padding. In these rare
cases, there may be more off-gassing of these uncured, improperly manufactured
materials after an ozone treatment - sometimes exposing the problem.
Those looking for air-purification or
are suffering from Asthma or Emphazima can find articles on the internet
that suggest staying away from any ozone source. If you are suffering
from MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), Asthma or Emphazima, and do not want
to use an invasive ozone shock treatment can benefit from
choosing a HEPA rated air purifier filter with a gas and odor Carbon filter such
as the
IQAir HealthPro Plus,
Allerair AirMedic Exec,
Austin Air Healthmate, or the
NQ Environmental Clarifier Purifier. Many other models are available
for custom tailored needs, please call 330-497-6900 and let us help you
determine the correct product for your application.
We ask that the decision to purchase an
ozone generator be made after through review of all available information from any
source. If you still have any reservation of the use of an ozone generator, or
are not willing to take the responsibility according to usage instructions, we ask
that you do not purchase an ozone generator. |
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Ozone
Shock treatments should be
done in rooms when no people, animals, or even plants are present. To do this, an
unoccupied zone should be established with no air infiltration; no leaks through
ventilation systems, windows, or doors. Also, by sealing the area, you can be
sure the shock treatment will be successful. |
Air Purification Instructions are also
recommended reading.
CLICK
HERE TO SELECT AN OZONE GENERATOR
MSDS
A properly implemented and operated
ozone system poses no health hazards. While ozone is labeled a toxic gas and the
established concentration limits for air purification applications must be adhered to for
public place applications, the odor threshold (.01 ppm) is far below the safety limit of
.1 ppm exposure over an eight hour period. We recommend the use of ozone
generators for
Shock treatments
for safety and effectiveness.
More
Ozone References.
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