Ozone
Ozonated water is a powerful, chemical-free disinfectant created by infusing water with ozone (O3) gas, offering significant benefits such as eradicating bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
It acts 3,000 times faster than chlorine for sterilization and leaves no toxic residue, as it reverts to oxygen. Key uses include superior oral hygiene, water purification, and potential therapeutic anti-inflammatory applications.
Primary Benefits of Ozonated Water
• Highly Effective Disinfection: Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent that destroys microorganisms, bacteria,
viruses, and fungi, and is effective at removing biofilm.• Oral Health and Hygiene: Used in dentistry since the 1930s, it treats gum disease, reduces inflammation,
soothes tooth pain, and is used for teeth whitening
Eco-Friendly and Chemical-Free: Unlike chlorine, ozone breaks down into oxygen and water, making it environmentally friendly and safe for consumption without leaving behind harmful residues.
• Water Purification: It removes odour, taste-causing compounds, and heavy metals like iron and manganese
from water, improving its overall quality.• Medical/Therapeutic Potential: Studies suggest ozonated water has anti-inflammatory properties. Preliminary
research on animals suggests it may aid in oxygenating the body to improve cancer treatments.
Key Considerations
• Short Lifespan: Ozonated water must be used within 15–20 minutes of production before it reverts to regular
water.• Requires Equipment: It requires a specialized ozone generator to create on-site.• Safety Handling: While safe to drink once produced, high concentrations of ozone gas can cause irritation to
the eyes and lungs. • Anti-inflammatory effects of ozonated water in an experimental mouse model - PMC
Health Hazards – Detection Levels
Gaseous ozone can be detected in air by its distinctive odour at concentrations of about 0.02 ppm. Although each nose varies, olfactory fatigue occurs quickly. Initial small exposure may reduce cell sensitivity and/or increase mucous thickness producing a resistance to low gaseous ozone levels.
DO NOT RELY ON ODOUR AS A WARNING OF HIGH OZONE CONCENTRATIONS. The Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) or time-weighted concentration for gaseous ozone to which workers may be exposed is 0.1 ppm averaged over 8 hours, 5 days a week (OSHA). The short-term exposure limit is 0.3 ppm averaged over 15 minutes.
The concentration of 5.0 ppm ozone in air is generally accepted as Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH).
Health Hazards – Effects on Humans
Gaseous ozone acts as a primary irritant, affecting mainly the eyes, upper respiratory tract and the lungs. Inhalation produces various degrees of respiratory effects from irritation to pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs).
Short exposure to 1-2 ppm concentrations causes headache as well as irritation to the respiratory system but symptoms subside when exposure ends. High concentrations of ozone produce severe irritation to the eyes and respiratory system.
Exposure above the ACGIH/OSHA limits may produce nausea, chest pain, coughing, fatigue, reduced visual acuity and pulmonary edema. Symptoms of edema from excessive exposure can be delayed one or more hours.
There is no threshold limit and so no exposure (regardless of how small) is theoretically without effect from ozone’s strong oxidative ability.
