What is Ozone

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What is Ozone?

Ozone gas is naturally formed in the atmosphere, when ultraviolet radiation forces atmospheric Oxygen to temporarily re-combine in groups of three atoms, as an energized form of Oxygen

Ozone, is a colorless gas found naturally in outside atmospheric air. In these natural quantities, it is found to be concentrations from 0.02 ppm to 0.05 ppm (parts per million) of volume.

Ozone consists of three atoms of oxygen, sometimes referred to as triatomic oxygen. It is relatively unstable, decaying very rapidly by reverting back to oxygen.

In the natural order of things, ozone acts as a sterilent of pollutants in outside air. As a very powerful oxidizer, it chemically breaks down the bonds which hold together odor producing molecules and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and reduces them to oxygen, leaving no chemical residue.

Ozone is now used in a multitude of oxidation tasks throughout the world. a few examples: In high concentrations, ozone is used to sterilize both domestic water and waste water by municipalities. It kills bacteria in food processing plants and neutralizes smokestack chemicals before discharge into the atmosphere. The brewery industry uses ozone to limit spoilage of grains used in the fermentation process. It is applied as an odor control agent in thousands of industries. Ozone is now being used as a replacement of chlorine as the main ingredient to control bacteria an algae growth in the maintenance of swimming pools. As an odor control ingredient, ozone is unmatched.

The responsible, safe, and effective use of ozone to improve ambient air quality lies to some extent in the users' knowledge of ozone's chemical activity. The proper use of ozone can insure benefits to the user which far outweigh the possible dangers of its use.

"Air quality benefits can be obtained by adding additional amounts of ozone to your indoor atmosphere to replenish the ozone being depleted by the existence of air borne pollutants."

Many of the Quantum's models have air quality sensors which control the amount of ozone produced based on the surrounding air pollution. This feature is unique to Quantum's product line. Look for the models with the Puristat feature, (sensored models).

Is Ozone Safe?

Ozone is a naturally forming compound that is structurally unstable and has the unique feature of decomposing to a harmless, non-toxic, environmentally essential and safe material (Oxygen), only 40 minutes following its production, depending upon its temperature and media in which it is bound.

All Quantum Pure Aire products use very low concentrations of this gas to safely purify the air and rid your environment of unwanted odors

How is Ozone beneficial?

Ozone is effective as a bactericidal agent and as a viral and fungal deactivator.
Ozone sterilization action is by oxidation, or "direct kill attack" of biological material.
Ozone kills bacteria 3,500 times faster than Chlorine-based agents.
Ozone destroys viruses and fungi instantaneously.

Marine Applications

Common odor problems on a boat can be found in the bilge area, the head and the cabin areas. Diesel and gasoline fumes, mold and mildew, standing water and leaks in hoses and holding tanks can cause odors. There are also chemicals that are released by fiberglass, carpeting and wood finishes.

Residential Applications

Common odor problems in the home can be found in upholstery, moldy cellars, crawl spaces, kitchen cabinets, musty closets and carpeting. Odors can be caused by pets, cigarette and cigar smoke, cooking, and chemicals released by plastics, paints, stains, and treatments on household fabrics.

Other Industrial applications

Ozone can be used for bleaching substances and for killing bacteria. Many municipal drinking water systems kill bacteria with ozone instead of the more common chlorine. Ozone does not form organochlorine compounds, but it also does not remain in the water after treatment, so some systems introduce a small amount of chlorine to prevent bacterial growth in the pipes, or may use chlorine intermittently, based on results of periodic testing. Where electrical power is abundant, ozone is a cost-effective method of treating water, as it is produced on demand and does not require transportation and storage of hazardous chemicals. Once it has decayed, it leaves no taste or odor in drinking water.

Low level of Ozone is helpful to purify air inside the house. Eliminate mildew and mold build up.

Industrially

ozone or ozonated water is used to disinfect water before it is bottled;
deodorize air and objects, such as after a fire;
kill bacteria on food or on contact surfaces;
scrub yeast and mold spores from the air in food processing plants;
wash fresh fruits and vegetables to kill yeast, mold and bacteria;
chemically attack contaminants in water (iron, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, nitrites, and complex organics lumped together as "color");
provide an aid to flocculation (agglomeration of molecules, which aids in filtration, where the iron and arsenic are removed);
clean and bleach fabrics (the latter use is patented);
assist in processing plastics to allow adhesion of inks;
age rubber samples to determine the useful life of a batch of rubber;
in surface water treatment plants to eradicate water borne parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. This is process is known as ozonation.

Ozone is a reagent in many organic reactions in the laboratory and in industry. Ozonolysis is the cleavage of an alkene to carbonyl compounds. Many hospitals in the U.S. and around the world use large ozone generators to decontaminate operating rooms between surgeries. The rooms are cleaned and then sealed airtight before being filled with ozone which effectively kills or neutralizes all remaining bacteria.

Other Consumer applications

Ozone machines, with or without ionization, are currently used to sanitize (high ozone output) and deodorize non-inhabited rooms, ductwork, vehicles, boats, woodsheds, and buildings.

Ozonated water is used to launder clothes, sanitize food, drinking water, and surfaces in the home. According to the FDA, it is "amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ozone in gaseous and aqueous phases as an antimicrobial agent on food, including meat and poultry." Ironically, while ozone is considered an atmospheric pollutant, pollution and smog by the US government, it can actually reduce pollutants like pesticides in fruits and vegetables.

Ozone is used in spas or hot tubs with reduced levels of Chlorine or Bromine for keeping the water free of bacteria. As it does not remain in the water after treatment, it is ineffective at preventing bather cross-contamination, and must be used in conjunction with another sanitizer. Ozone gas is created by an ultraviolet light bulb or corona discharge chip and injected into the plumbing system.

Ozone is also widely used in treatment of water in aquaria and fish ponds. Its use can minimize bacterial growth control parasites and removes or reduce "yellowing" of the water. As the Ozone rapidly decomposes, at correctly controlled levels the application has no effect on the fish.

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