Understanding the O3 Sanitizer™
O3 or ozone is basically
supercharged oxygen. Regular oxygen is O2 and
ozone is simply O3. Nature
regularly transforms oxygen into ozone through
forces such as lightning and ultra-violet light
striking the earth. O3 then
acts as a natural sanitizer. After a short period of
time the ozone reverts back to regular oxygen at
ground level.
How We Learn About It
We learn about ozone in two different ways. The
first is the protective ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere that helps to reduce the amount of
ultra-violet light that strikes the earth. This
layer of O3 is gradually being
depleted as a result of specific pollutants such as
aerosols and the older refrigerant gases. Steps have
been taken to reduce these pollutants, but there is
an ongoing concern about protecting the ozone layer.
The second way we learn about O3 is
the ground level ozone in polluted cities.
Automobiles and industry put out excessive levels of
hydrocarbons into the air through exhaust emissions.
When ultra-violet (UV) light from the sun strikes
hydrocarbons, ozone is created. For millions of
years, nature has created ozone by sunlight striking
hydrocarbons, emitted from decaying matter, as one
way it keeps the earth clean. This is nature’s
response to pollution in the air. When the exhaust
emissions are high, the O3 levels
become high as a response to the hydrocarbons. The
level of ozone in some
cities may exceed 200 parts per billion (ppb) on
days when pollution is high.
On the other hand, without O3 and
UV light the earth would be an odorous place with
mold, mildew and viruses running rampant. The forces
of nature are designed to keep the outdoors clean
and healthy. Unfortunately, there is normally very
little ozone in our indoor spaces where we spend
nearly all of our time. This is because the
buildings where we live and work are designed to
shut nature out.
How It Is Used
Ozone is created by man for purification purposes.
It is injected in nearly all bottled waters and is
widely used in Europe for treating municipal water
supplies. O3 is also used for indoor air treatment
but it must be employed in a manner that is both
safe and effective.
The typical way O3 is used
commercially for air treatment is by blasting a high
level of ozone into an unoccupied space. For
example, if a hotel wants to change a smoking room
to a non-smoking room, they use an ozonator such as
the LightninAir Industrial Cleaner to pull odors out
of the carpet, drapes, bedding, etc. Smoke damage
restoration services also use O3 to remove odors.
The FDA has approved O3 for
treatment of air and water in food processing
plants. Water damage restoration companies treat air
with O3 at high levels in
unoccupied spaces to get rid of smells as well as
mold and mildew. Some restaurants, bars and casinos
are now beginning to use ozone at relatively low
levels to keep the air smelling fresh and clean at
all times.
High Level Use
The O3 Sanitizer may be used
to treat unoccupied spaces, including the entire
home or office. This is the most effective way to
attack microorganisms and reduce strong odors
because it allows the O3 to go
after pollutants at the source. Ozone has been
proven to reduce levels of mold, mildew and other
microorganisms. It will also help accelerate the
dissipation of chemicals from new carpet, furniture
and paint.
Simply close off the problem area or shut the
windows and doors in the entire home. Next, set the
O3 dial to correspond to the
size of the area to be treated. Then leave the space
for 1 to 4 hours depending on the severity of odors.
Upon return, open the doors and windows to let in
fresh air until the O3 smell
is gone. Perform this procedure as often as
necessary until the odors are removed.
Timer
Many users prefer a plug-in timer, like is used on
lamps, so that it comes on everyday for a few hours
while they are at work and then shuts off a couple
of hours before they return home. When they walk in
the air smells fresh and clean and the O3 has
reverted back to normal O2.
Occupied Spaces
Some users keep the O3 Sanitizer
at a relatively low setting while in the home or
office. This can hold down microorganism growth
while keeping the air smelling fresh and clean.
However, caution is advised because O3 levels
may exceed those recommended by government agencies.
Each home is different so it requires a trial and
error process to locate the right setting on the
dial.
If you choose to use the O3 Sanitizer
in occupied spaces, set the ozonator dial at a
modest level initially and let it run for a couple
of hours. If you smell ozone when you walk into the
room, turn the dial down or off. On the other hand,
if you smell household odors, turn the dial slightly
up. Repeat the process until you walk into the room
and do not smell household odors or ozone—just clean
fresh air. Caution is the key to use of the O3 Sanitizer
in occupied spaces.
Caution
Excessive ozone concentrations can cause mucus
membrane or respiratory irritation. Individuals with
serious respiratory problems such as emphysema
should consult their physician before use. Those
with a poor sense of smell should also exercise
caution. If O3 is detected
when entering a room turn the O3 Sanitizer
dial down or off. If a dry throat, cough or watery
eyes is experienced ventilate the area and
discontinue use.
The level of O3 generated at a
particular setting on the dial will vary with
humidity, altitude, household contents, level of
pollutants in the space and other factors. The
average person is able to smell ozone as the room
level approaches 20 ppb indoors. The FDA sets an
upper level of 50 ppb in continuously occupied
spaces for sensitive persons such as the very young,
the elderly and the sick. The EPA has set a target
level of 80 ppb for outside air in cities, but that
is regularly exceeded. A rule of thumb is to turn
the Sanitizer dial off or down if the O3 smell
is detected. |