What is Ozone?

Ozone, O3 in its molecular formula, is composed of 3 oxygen atoms.In low concentration, ozone is colorless with peculiar odor like fresh air in forest or by waterfall, while in high concentration-above 12 (WT)  it is light blue colored with strong irritant odor. The word “ Ozone” was named after Greek word ”Ozein”, meaning Smell.   

 Where is Ozone From?

In the nature, besides the ozone layer, 20-50km above the surface of the ground, Ozone consists mostly in the areas of forest, waterfall, and seaside. it’s discharged by the reaction of sunlight- the ultraviolet in sunlight turns the oxygen in water drops ozone, or by the reaction of thunder.  

 The History of Ozone Application 

In 1840, ozone was first recognized and named for its peculiar odor.

In 1906, Nice city in France established the first Ozone water treatment plant.

In 1937, U.S had the first commercial swimming pool using ozone to treat its water.

In 1940, Indiana U.S set up an ozone water treatment installation.

In 1975, over 1,000 pieces of ozone installations were set up in waste water disposal plants.

In 1982, ozone was used as a disinfectant for bottled water.

In 1984, Olympic Games Competition Pools Began Ozone Purification

In 1989, EPA Lists Ozone as Safe for Surface and Ground Water.

In 2000, over 300 waterworks in U.S used ozone assistant to water treatment.

In 2001, FDA/USDA Approve Ozone as an Antimicrobial Food Additive

Note: In Europe, the application of ozone isn’t regulated specifically. 

 How is Ozone Generated?

Air or other gas containing oxygen, exposed to high strength conditions like high voltage field or ultraviolet radiation, will be split 2 oxygen atoms (2O). The combination of single oxygen atom (O) and diatomic oxygen (O2) can discharge ozone (O3). Corona discharge, an electrical discharge, is typical method for its capacity of generating high concentration of ozone, compared with the method of ultraviolet light. Due to ozone’s strong oxidization potential and instability, it can’t be stored for sale, but put to use in the meantime. 

 Ozone, SAFE?

“Ozone for Point-of-use, Point-of-entry and Small Water System Water Treatment Applications：A Reference Manual” published by WQA in 1997 wrote that In past 100 years of ozone application, none of cases on permanent harm and death caused by ozone were reported, but even so, it’s never too much to be cautious especially when it comes to the use of ozone generator for air purification. In US, OSHA, FDA and EPA made related regulations on exposure level of ozone.

FDA set the standard that the discharge of ozone of indoor medical devices should be limited to 0.05ppm at its maximum.    
The current OSHA standard for ozone is 0.1ppm averaged over an eight-hour work shift.

NIOSH suggestion of ozone concentration shouldn’t be over 0.1ppm at any time.  

EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone is a maximum 8 hour average outdoor concentration of 0.08ppm. Also when ozone generator is operating, condition should be sufficiently controlled to insure that no persons and pets become exposed.

 Relative Regulation in Taiwan and other countries?

Yes, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration indicates that the maximum 8 hour average concentration of ozone is 0.06ppm and maximum 1 hour concentration is 0.12ppm. In Japan and US, the maximum 1 hour concentration of ozone is 0.1ppm.