Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ozone?

 In basic terms, Ozone is simply activated oxygen. It is the result of passing a continuous stream of oxygen through an electrically charged field. Office workers doing a lot of photo copying, scanning or faxing inadvertently create ozone as a result of the oxygen in the air circulating through the copying machine being electrically charged creating a noticeable bleachy odour. It is most often recognized as that fresh clean smell you experience after a lightning storm.

How does it work?

Ozone is chemically reactive. When it comes in contact with other compounds, it will oxidize or break their molecular bonds rendering them inert. It also kills bacteria, viruses and other organic matter by rupturing their cell walls. It disinfects and deodorizes 3000 times faster than chlorine.

Is it safe?

While it is very powerful, it has a very short life cycle. When it is dissolved in water that life cycle is less than 30 seconds depending on how contaminated the water is. In air, the half life of ozone is less than 30 minutes before it reverts back to oxygen.

The Food and Drug Administration in the US has amended its food additive regulations to permit ozone use as an anti microbial agent. The amendment, published in the Federal Register on June, 26 2001, allows for ozone use in gaseous and aqueous conditions, and for safe and effective anti microbial treatment of meat, poultry, and other food products. In addition to being highly effective, it leaves no residue after the treatment process.

How effective is it?

Ozone is very effective at destroying most odours, bacteria, pathogens, viruses as well as MRSA, C-Difificile, E-Coli, Salmonella Choleraesuis, Staphylococcus Aureua, Candida Albicans, and Aspergillus Niger and more.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1991, confirmed that ozone was effective in ridding water of hazardous pathogens, including chlorine resistant Cryptosporidium.

” Agricultural Outlook, June/July, 1998.”

The newspaper articles agree! Check out the articles from The Telegraph.

Are all Ozone machines the same?

Definitely not! There are a variety of methods used to artificially produce ozone. The best method usually requires the use of pure oxygen rather than ambient air. The two most important factors in ozone production are concentration and contact time. The higher the concentration or the longer the contact time the more effective the treatment result.

In the final analysis, however, the key to success in achieving the best treatment result lies more is in the method of application rather than the choice of equipment used.