OZONE - General Information
Tom Harrelson

Introduction To OZONE:

That FRESH CLEAN Odor after a Thunderstorm is the result of God's own natural Air Purifier, "OZONE". OZONE is the SAFEST and 4th MOST POWERFUL Oxidant known to man. In simple layperson's terms, Ozone, as an oxidant, NEUTRALIZES Contaminants or chemically ALTERS them, so that they can be MORE EASILY ELIMINATED. The HIGH Oxidation Potential of OZONE is the reason, that it is becoming the MOST VALUABLE and POWERFUL Tool in Air and Water Purification, Food Preservation, and Body Detoxification.

Chemistry Of OZONE:

Ozone (O3) is the tri-atomic form of Oxygen, also known as "Super-Oxygen". It is a Molecule consisting of three Oxygen Atoms (O1+O1+O1=O3) as opposed to the two Oxygen Atoms which comprise the normal Oxygen Molecule (O1+O1=O2). OZONE is formed naturally by the Ultra-Violet Rays of the Sun (photochemical reaction) and by Lightning (bioelectrical reaction). OZONE is also formed synthetically by passing Air or Oxygen over an Ultra-Violet lamp (photochemical reaction) and through a High-Voltage Field (bioelectrical reaction). Some of the Oxygen Molecules are split into two separate Oxygen Atoms. These singlet Atoms then form Semi-Stable Bonds with the Oxygen Molecules (O2+O1=O3 - OZONE). These Polyatomic Oxygen Molecules are HIGHLY REACTIVE. This reactivity is because the third Oxygen Atom, also known as a "Hungry Atom", is very eager to break away from this Semi-Stable Bond and react with ANY Oxidizable Compound (organic or inorganic). Also due to it's reactivity, OZONE has a VERY SHORT Life Span (about 20 min.).

Mechanism Of OZONE:

As was stated before, OZONE exists as a VERY UNSTABLE Molecule, thus being readily biodegradable and VERY USEFUL by virtue of it's oxidizing Properties. The OZONE Molecule is a HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Biocide and Purifying/Cleaning Agent, because of it's POWERFUL Oxidizing Potential. OZONE DESTROYS Algae, Bacteria, Fungi, Mildew, Mold, Parasites, Protozoa, Viruses, and Yeast MORE EFFECTIVELY, than ANY other Biocide available. Perhaps EQUALLY IMPORTANT is the fact, that OZONE PROHIBITS the ability of Microorganisms to develop a resistance to OZONE. The ability of OZONE to oxidize Inorganic and Organic Compounds and KILL Microorganisms are properties, which have been harnessed and applied to MANY present day needs. For example, 3,000+ cities throughout the world, including Los Angeles and Fort Worth/Dallas, and starting over 100 years ago, have been using OZONE to VERY EFFECTIVELY to PURIFY their Municipal Water Supplies.

Safety Of OZONE:

OZONE is a colorless Gas with a characteristicly CLEAN, but STRONG Odor. It spontaneouly decomposes back to Oxygen under ALL ordinary Conditions, thus NOT being encountered, except in the immediate vicinity of where it is formed. The TOXICITY of OZONE has been debated for MANY years. OZONE, being VERY REACTIVE and OXIDATIVE, as stated previously, can be somewhat HARSH on the Lungs, because of the reaction with the Contamination there, but OZONE is NOT so much an Irritant itself as the Contamination to which it is reacting. Tests seem to show that reaction to the OZONE/Air mixture is influenced by MANY factors, including the amount of Nitric Oxides present (depending on the OZONE Generator design), Exposure Concentration, the Duration of the Exposure, whether the Exposed Individual is at REST or ACTIVE, and the susceptibility of that particular Individual.

The current OSHA Standard for OZONE is 0.1 parts per million (ppm) of Air over a 8 hour work shift. However, OZONE can typically be detected in the Air by the SENSITIVE Human Nose in a Concentration Range of 0.02 to 0.05 ppm.

Although OZONE can be TOXIC and CORROSIVE in VERY HIGH Concentrations, it presents NO Safety or Handling PROBLEMS in properly-designed Operating Systems. It's freedom from Operating HAZARDS is witnessed by the LONG Background of TROUBLE-FREE use in 1000'S of Installations around the World.

OZONE Fact Sheet No. 6 - General (Revised 5/26/03)