Information on ozone and its applications

Information on ozone and its applications:

Until now ozone is well known for being a natural compound present in the atmosphere at two heights: in the stratosphere, where a layer is formed that purifies the air, filters ultraviolet rays harmful to humans, and prevents it from reaching the Earth's surface ; and in the lower troposphere, where there are always certain concentrations.

Less known is its effectiveness as a biocide (elimination of living organisms) due to its oxidizing power and for being highly reactive with proteins, lipids, biological membranes and, in general, with organic matter.

It is a colorless, odorless substance (only in high concentrations could it have a bluish color and give off a decomposing shellfish smell), which cannot be stored or transported.

It can be produced artificially, but it must be done where it will be used for it to be effective. Being unstable and decomposing, the half-life in the air inside a room is approximately six to ten minutes.

Ozone is a substance that can be artificially generated in situ by means of an ozone generator and which, being unstable, tends to return to its natural state after a few minutes. It cannot be stored.

These ozone generators, which generate high electrical voltage from the oxygen in the air, which separates the oxygen atoms so that they can react with other molecules and give rise to ozone.

Its use is simple once connected and programmed to act, it is necessary to leave the room (if you had to enter you would have to do it protected with a special suit) and keep the door closed. With 20 seconds it would be enough to eliminate a virus, but to avoid taking risks, it is usually allowed to act for three or four minutes. After ten minutes, the residual ozone that has not reacted (the one that reacts is consumed) decomposes and it would only be necessary to ventilate the room.

Ozone is in the transitional process of registration and authorization as a biocide in the European Union (BPR), although according to the WHO this type of gas is the most powerful disinfectant against all types of micro-organisms.

This authorization process means that the EU member countries have not yet included it in their official lists of authorized disinfection products.

This transient situation means that certain applications are not yet authorized, such as their use in hospitals. As of today, this authorization process only contemplates and values the use of ozone as a biocide in the following cases (TP2, TP4, TP5 and TP11), any other application is not allowed:

TP2 - Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to people or animals: Used for disinfecting surfaces, materials, equipment and furniture that are not used in direct contact with food or feed. The areas of use include, among others, swimming pools, aquariums, bathing water and others; air conditioning systems and the walls and floors of private or public places, industrial areas and other areas intended for professional activities. Used for disinfection of air, water not intended for human or animal consumption, chemical toilets, sewage, hospital waste, and soil. Used as algaecides for the treatment of swimming pools, aquariums and other waters and for the reparative treatment of construction materials. Intended to be incorporated into textiles, fabrics, masks, paints and other articles or materials in order to obtain articles treated with disinfecting properties.

TP4 - Food and feed: Used to disinfect equipment, containers, utensils for consumption, surfaces or pipes related to the production, transport, storage or consumption of food or feed (including drinking water) for people and animals. Used to impregnate materials that may be in contact with food.

TP5 - Drinking water: Used for the disinfection of drinking water, both for people and animals.

TP11 - Protectors for liquids used in refrigeration systems and in industrial processes: Used for the conservation of water or other liquids used in refrigeration systems and in industrial processes by controlling harmful organisms such as microbes, algae and mussels. Products used for the disinfection of drinking water or swimming pool water are not included in this type of product.

Toxicological informacion:

- EPA safe human exposure limits: 0.1 ppm of 03 for 8h. 0.5 ppm of 03, for 15 min.

- Professional exposure limits (INSHT 2011):

- VLA — ED (heavy duty): 0.05 ppm; 0.1 mg / m3.

- VLA — ED (moderate duty): 0.08 ppm; 0.16 mg / mº.

- VLA — ED (light duty): 0.1 ppm; 0.2 mg / m5.

- VLA — ED (heavy, moderate, or light duty less than or equal to 2 hours): 0.02 ppm; 0.4 mg / m5.M