Ozone treatment of rooms is a proven method of disinfection and refreshing, which lets you get rid of harmful microorganisms and unpleasant odours. The method is also economical and very easy. Read our advise on how to effectively and safely carry out ozone treatment of your office or home.
Ozone treatment of rooms is a proven method of disinfection and refreshing, which lets you get rid of harmful microorganisms and unpleasant odours. The method is also economical and very easy. Read our advise on how to effectively and safely carry out ozone treatment of your office or home.
Ozone treatment – what is it?
Ozone (O₃) is a triatomic molecule, consisting of three oxygen atoms, while the most common oxygen molecule in the atmosphere (O₂) has two atoms. This specific structure makes ozone very unstable, as the third oxygen atom tends to detach and then react with other compounds. These properties are used for the purpose of disinfecting. The bactericidal effect of ozone is already visible at very low concentrations (13 µg / dm³), and it is therefore more than 50 times more effective than chlorine, and works 3,000 times faster.
An advantage of ozone is its high penetration capacity. It can be used both for disinfecting water and air in closed spaces. It is also used in agriculture and industry, for example to disinfect food or grain intended for sowing. As a gas, it perfectly penetrates the even the tightest spots, the inside of furniture and ventilation ducts. It also perfectly disinfects fabrics (e.g. upholstery and carpets) and elements inside mechanical devices. Ozone treatment is often used when preparing cars for sale. It is used to clean the air conditioning system and refresh the interior of the car.
This is done using an ozone generator. They suck in air from one side, then pass it through an area where electrical discharges turn the air into ozone. Ozone can also be generated by means of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, by means of a special built-in lamp. Both methods are very simple and extremely economical, because all you need is electricity.
What does ozone treatment do?
Ozone has a comprehensive effect on living organisms. It damages biological membranes, inhibits enzymes and prevents intracellular respiration. These properties make it bactericidal, but it is also great at getting rid of fungi, moulds and even viruses.
The high reactivity of ozone also makes it good for removing unpleasant odours from rooms. You can therefore use it to refresh places after a fire, flood, breeding animals or rooms after heavy smoking. Ozone generators will also come in handy in apartments intended for major renovation – often neglected and with large amounts of mould. Ozone is also good for eliminating aromatic rings used as solvents for paints and varnishes. In addition to their unpleasant smell, they are also toxic, and even carcinogenic. It breaks the carbon ring that forms them, and the resulting compounds are oxidised to carbon dioxide, water and oxides.
Preventive ozone treatment is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. The process allows you to get rid of mites, allergenic substances secreted by moulds, and insects whose secretions can lead to serious allergic reactions. In high concentrations, ozone will destroy parasites (fleas, lice, bedbugs), all kinds of harmful insects (ants, moths, silverfish, cockroaches) as well as their eggs and pupae. It is also used as a deterrent for rodents. Therefore, it is used becoming increasingly popular as a form of pest control.
Ozone treatment of apartments
Before switching on the ozone generator, you will need to proper preparation. In order to achieve the desired effect, you should maintain its relatively high concentration for a sufficiently long time. This means closing the windows and doors carefully, and sealing any other potential air release. The disinfecting advantages of ozone, i.e. the strong oxidising properties, do unfortunately also mean it can age items during the process. Before ozone treatment, it would be good to protect valuable items (paintings, leather furniture) by taking them out of the room or covering them with film.
It is absolutely essential to remove animals (including aquarium fish) and plants from disinfected areas. There must be no people inside either. When operating an ozone generator you should use a remote control or wear a special suit and protective mask.
Ozone is heavier than air, so for best effects it’s best to place it, for example, on a cupboard in the middle of the room.
 Ozone Generator – 7,000 mg/h – 98 W |  Ozone Generator – 500 – 10,000 mg/hr – 95 W |  Ozone Generator – 20,000 mg/h – 205 W | |
| Output | 98 W | 95 W | 205 W |
| Ozone production | 7000 mg/h | 10000 mg/h | 20000 mg/h |
| Fan | 170 mᶾ/h | 170 mᶾ/h | 170 mᶾ/h |
| Timer | 0 – 60 min | 0 – 120 min | 0 – 60 min |
| Cable length | 1,8 m | 1,5 m | 1,8 m |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 32,00 x 23,50 x 24,00 cm | 23,50 x 19,00 x 26,50 cm | 32,00 x 23,50 x 23,50 cm |
| Weight | 3,80 kg | 2,50 kg | 4,70 kg |
Ozone treatment of offices
Systematic ozone treatment of offices has become a standard maintenance method. Due to the gathering and flow of people in confined spaces, as well as items used by many employees (computers, telephones, printers), offices are an ideal habitat for bacteria and viruses. The problem is noticeable especially in open–space offices and with older types of air conditioning systems. Kitchens, canteens and conference rooms also require regular ozone treatment. Scientific evidence shows that the regular disinfection of offices significantly reduces sick leave among employees, which gives tangible savings for the company. Moreover, people working in hygienic conditions and breathing clean air are not only healthier, but also feel better and work more efficiently.
It is best to carry out ozone treatment when no one is working in the building – at night or at the weekend. If this is not possible, the given space should be properly isolated and secured against unauthorised access.
Ozone disinfection – when is it effective?
Ozone treatment is effective (it destroys 99% of microorganisms), quick and, if carried out properly, completely safe. The time needed to disinfect a given room is calculated on the basis of its size and the efficiency of the generator. The choice of ozone generator should therefore depend on the technical specifications. Manufacturers usually includes details on optimal use in the user manual. Usually, ozone treatment will require no more than a few hours. After turning off the generator, wait about 30-40 minutes (during this time ozone turns into harmless oxygen) and then ventilate the room well.
Bear in mind, however, that this method will only solve the problem for a short-time – exactly how long depends on the source of the problem. One session is usually enough to remove unpleasant odours with heavy smoking or after renovation works. But if you want to renovate neglected and run-down space for residential use, the process should be repeated several times. It is best to do this before, during and at the end of the renovation process. Even after a fire, the specific burnt smell can be very persistent and require repeated ozone treatment.
Before using the ozone generator, you should also determine the cause of the unpleasant smell and try to eliminate it. If, for example, the problem is the smell from a sewage system or coming from a damp floor, ozone treatment will only help for a very short time. The same applies to animal related odours – if the animals are still present after treatment, the smell will reappear after some time.
Ozone treatment of cars and their air conditioning is usually carried out in the case of unpleasant smells coming from the air supply. Some drivers, however, prefer to take extra precautions and do it once a year as a preventive measure – usually after winter. This approach is recommended especially for people with respiratory system issues or with a weak immune system.
In public buildings (such a schools or hospitals), as well as offices, restaurants and beauty salons, decontamination should be carried out as frequently and regularly as possible. The process will allow you to maintain a high level of hygiene and effectively remove pathogenic microorganisms from the surroundings.
Ozone treatment – is it harmful?
As already mentioned, during ozone treatment it is absolutely necessary to empty the room of people or animals. This is very important because for ozone treatment to be effective, its concentration level must be between 3-5 ppm, while dangerous symptoms of poisoning in humans appear at a level of 0.7 ppm! Lower concentrations (exceeding 0.1 ppm) are also harmful, or at least definitely irritating.
In the case of chronic exposure to ozone, problems may arise with the mucous membranes. Even short-term inhalation of ozone will lead to inflammatory reactions in the bronchi and lungs. With prolonged exposure, the mucosa undergoes pathological proliferation, and blisters become fibrotic. This results in progressive respiratory problems. Ozone has is equally harmful for your eyes and skin, leading to premature aging.
Therefore, for ozone treatment to be safe, the required protective measures must be strictly adhered to. The advantage of ozone is its high reactivity and fast decomposition, which results in almost complete neutralisation. After waiting the required time after switching off the generator and ventilating the room, any danger should disappear.
Unlike other popular disinfectants and biocides, it is therefore considered a completely safe method. It is also very easy, as you only need to switch on the generator. Also, no additional chemicals are required, which would be inconvenient to transport and also pose a potential hazard when stored or in the wrong hands.
Share