OSHINER

“Water is life, and clean water means health.” – Audrey Hepburn

Safe, clean drinking water is essential for a healthy life, and a right for all of humankind to have access to. Unfortunately today, there are many people without access to one of our most basic human needs. Advances in technology have brought clean, drinkable water to billions of people around the world. Billions of people can go into a room in their home, turn on a tap and have access to seemingly crystal clear water on demand. Although the water in most of our homes may seem clean, and for the most part, maybe it is, there are almost always going to be some micro-biotic matter floating around and ending up in our bodies, causing an array of health issues.

Two common ways we have combated these unseeable invaders in our water are with chlorine and ozone. Chlorine is a chemical element that is added to water in small quantities to kill algae and other impurities that could cause illness. Ozone is a molecule comprised of three oxygen atoms stuck together, commonly found blocking the UV rays from the sun in our stratosphere, or at ground level after a lightning storm. Ozone is also a very effective disinfectant, able to kill almost all bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, as well as break down hazardous gases like hydrogen sulfide.

Efficiency

Both Chlorine and Ozone are effective at disinfecting water and have been used to protect municipal water supplies for decades. It has been found that ozone is much faster at disinfecting water and does so more effectively than when compared to chlorine. Ozone disinfects water by oxidizing germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites and metals immediately on contact. After being used, ozone breaks down and returns to a more stable element, oxygen, and leaves no trace of smell, taste or chemical residue. Chlorine on the other hand, once added to water, requires some time to completely dissolve and rid the water of harmful material. However, not all harmful matter can be removed the water with chlorine, such as some metals, gases and chlorine resistant parasites. Chlorine also leaves a distinct chemical smell, taste and residue which over time can be especially annoying and dangerous.

Applications

Water disinfected with ozone and or chlorine has multiple applications, the main one being cleaning municipal water supplies in urban areas. While chlorine is most often noticed and easily recognized because of it’s distinct smell and taste, ozone purified water has been used to disinfect municipal water beginning as early as 1906 in Nice, France. Since then, ozone has been becoming a more popular choice for disinfecting water than its counterparts.

Now, Ozone is not only used to disinfect large scale municipal water, but can also be utilized in smaller scale applications thanks to the advancements in technology since the early 1900s. Ozone generating water systems can be easily installed into a home and be used to sterilize water used for doing the laundry, taking a shower, washing dishes, cleaning surfaces, and of course, drinking.

Cost

The cost of using chlorine versus the cost of choosing ozone as a disinfectant differ greatly. Chlorine is relatively much more inexpensive initially when compared to the set up of an ozone generating device. Ozone-generating water filters can range in price from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands. That being said, the initial cost to set up an ozone generator is only a one time cost, and will continue to produce a higher quality of water for years after its initial installation. Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water because it is so cheap, usually costing only cents per liter. When using chlorine to disinfect water, you must constantly replace the chemicals after being used, meaning even though it is so cheap, it is a reoccurring cost and will need to be resupplied indefinitely.

Storage

Chlorine for the purpose of disinfecting water is commonly purchased in a solid or liquid state. This makes the transportation and storage of chlorine relatively simple. Chlorine is also a stable element meaning it can be stored for a very long time if it is not being used. Ozone on the other hand is an unstable compound and has a half-life, which means over time, usually in a matter of minutes, ozone molecules will break down and turn back into oxygen. This makes the storage of ozone extremely difficult and impractical. If choosing to use ozone as a disinfectant, ozone must be produced or generated on demand as soon as it is needed.

Safety

Ozone and chlorine are both relatively safe ways to disinfect water. Very low, trace amounts of chlorine or ozone in water are completely harmless and can be consumed without worry. However, both have to be used with caution and must be considered thoroughly before being used.

Chlorine in a concentrated state, before being added to water, is extremely poisonous and can cause serious harm or even death if consumed. Once added to water, chlorine is broken down and dissolved, making it less harmful, but not completely. There have been trace amounts of chloroforms and halomethanes found in water disinfected with chlorine, both of which are known cancer causing carcinogens. There are also some waterborne parasites found to be resistant to chlorine, meaning they can also be easily consumed with infected water, causing serious illness.

Ozone is much more effective at killing nearly all viruses, bacteria and parasites, even those resistant to chlorine. Ozone is completely harmless when used in water as it will eventually break down into oxygen, leaving no chemical residue. Ozone as a gas is also completely harmless at low concentrations, although if exposed to very high concentrations of ozone gas, it can cause headaches and some discomfort. 

While chlorine and ozone are used around the world for their disinfection properties, in terms of which one is right for you in your home is completely dependant on your needs and means. There are many things to consider before choosing to use chlorine or ozone as a disinfectant in your home.

Even though the initial cost of using ozone as a disinfectant is higher relative to the cost of using chlorine, it is definitely something to be seriously considered. In the long run, the health benefits and quality of water purified by ozone justify the cost of having an ozone-generating water filter installed in a home. Pure, clean, safe, tasteless drinking water should not be seen as a luxury, but as a necessity for all.

Ozone is being used everyday in our fight for a cleaner and healthier life. You may be surprised as to how many individuals and industries choose ozone as a trusted disinfectant, as well as some of the applications in which ozone can be used. Here are eight reasons why we love using ozone as a natural disinfectant, and some reasons why you should too.

Naturally Occurring

Ozone is a compound formed with three oxygen atoms. Ozone is most abundantly found in the Earth’s stratosphere where it blocks a lot of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Ozone can be produced at ground-level and in our atmosphere most predominately when there is a major lightning storm. The distinctive smell produced after a storm is of ozone that has been produced from the lightning strikes. With advancements made in technology, engineers have been able to reproduce the effects that lightning and UV light have on oxygen molecules, and produce ozone on demand and in varying concentrations. Now, harnessing the disinfecting properties of ozone at home, in the workplace, or on the go has never been simpler.

Cleaner Water at Home

Cities and townships across the world have been using ozone to disinfect local water supplies safely and effectively for decades now. It has been reported that ozone is more effective at cleaning water of harmful organic material than chlorine, by a large margin. Arguably best of all, ozone disinfects water without the need of harmful chemicals, leaving the water free of the strong chemical smell or taste. Ozone treated water is 100% safe to drink, clean dishes with, shower with, and even wash laundry with. Because of the disinfecting properties of ozone, you can have cleaner clothes and dishes after washing them with ozone treated water, without the need of regular amounts of soap, saving you time and money in the long run.

Eliminates Smells and Odors

Ozone not only gets rid of contaminates like germs and viruses, but is also able to eliminate odor causing bacteria and gases. For many years, ozone has been used in part as a step in flood and fire restoration, to rid homes and vehicles of smoke and mold damage. If left untreated, smoke and mold can cause serious health issues. Ozone offers a safe and effective treatment for these types of home and car restoration. Ozone can also be used as a preventative measure against common household and automotive odors. For example, keeping the inside of a fridge smelling fresh, eliminating cigarette smells from cars or rooms, clearing bad smells in the washroom or kitchen, and general air purification in every room or enclosed space.

Ozone Preserves Food Longer

Most of us know that feeling of reluctantly throwing out food that has spoiled in the fridge before getting a chance to eat the food. Food waste is a very common and expensive issue. Luckily with ozone, you can hold onto that food a little longer. Ozone is able to attach to and kill food spoiling bacteria. It is commonly used by food processing factories during the packaging process, to safely increase the shelf life of the food without the need of added substances or chemicals. Ozone can also be used at home in your fridge to extend the life of chilled fruits and vegetables.

Gets Rid of Airborne Contaminates

Ozone has the ability to attach to and kill airborne contaminates as well as those on surfaces. All around us at any given time, there could be millions of microbes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites floating through the air, and landing on items that we use everyday. This is why it is so important to wash our hands, because those viruses and bacteria that land on everyday items become easily attached to our hands and enter our bodies, making us sick or worse. As a form of preventative healthcare, you can quite easily kill those viruses and bacteria before giving them a chance to enter your body and make you or your family unwell. Ozone is able to catch and kill all types of viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other harmful organisms both in the air and after they have settled.

Safe Disinfection of Personal Protective Equipment

In recent years, there has been a significant fare up of personal protective equipment (PPE) being worn by health professionals and everyday people. Examples of PPE are face masks , face shields, gloves, biohazard body suits, medical gowns and aprons, among other things. These forms of PPE are essential in our protection against viruses, germs and other pathogens from entering our body or covering our clothes and skin. Ozone is being utilized for its disinfecting properties to safely sanitize PPE when being disposed of to limit the risk of cross-contamination of the dangerous microbes.

Leaves No Chemical Residue

Many common cleaning products, air fresheners and sanitizers use harmful, toxic chemicals to kill bacteria. While being somewhat effective at killing the bacteria, these types of cleaning products pose other health issues, such as leaving behind toxic residues after being used, strong chemical smells, and posing other risks involved in the storage of these types of products. Ozone on the other hand is a much more effective and a safer disinfectant than its alternatives. Ozone does not leave any toxic residues after it is used, nor does it leave a heavy long-lasting smell. Ozone is also produced on demand by an ozone generator, meaning the storage is much safer than having a cabinet filled with harmful chemicals.

Skin Safe

Where some cleaners, especially those in the concentrated form, are very dangerous even to handle without proper protective equipment, ozone posses no such threat and is much safer to handle. It is safe for ozone to come in direct contact with skin without causing any serious skin irritations or reactions. Ozone is strictly regulated in most countries to be under a certain concentration if being used in a home, office or worksite. Because of these regulations, engineers and manufactures must meet strict guidelines when producing ozone generators, limiting if necessary the ozone output of these devices. Meaning the ozone produced by most ozone generators will meet the respective country’s guidelines, ensuring that the level of ozone produced is completely safe for use in the home, office, workplace or anywhere within a space occupied by people.  

Ozone has been used for many years for its effective disinfecting properties. Over the years, technology has continued to advance and engineers continue to produce safer, more effective devices to produce ozone for whatever and wherever it is needed. Ozone is a much safer and effective alternative to a lot of other traditional chemical-based disinfectants and sanitizers. Ozone can be used universally, for cleaning the air, water and surfaces we use everyday, making the world we live in a healthier and safer place to call home.

Let’s all breathe a breath of fresh air!

With growing concern over the past months about viruses, germs and other pollutants in our environment and homes, have you taken the time and thought about the quality and cleanliness of the air you breathe everyday?

Good air quality is essential for a person’s well-being, the same as clean drinking water, a healthy diet, and other health positive practices. The former three get publicized on heavily, but what may not be as commonly known is ‘How do we get good quality air?’

Lucky, if you are fortunate enough to live far away from large cities or urban areas and far away from industrial air pollution, you may already have access to ample fresh, clean air.

For those of us living in large cities or industrial areas, where we spend the majority of time indoors, it may be hard to get access to truly clean air, which can affect our mental and physical health.

So how DO we change the quality of the air if we are constricted to confide spaces in heavily polluted environments? The answer comes in the form of an air purifier. An air purifier does just that, purify the surrounding area, killing airborne bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other irritants, leaving clean breathable air. 

One of the best known disinfectants of airborne pollution found in nature is Ozone. We may have heard of ozone before, more specifically the ozone layer which is a suborbital barrier between our plant and outer space. Ozone is also all around us, working invisibly to clean the air and other external surfaces in the natural world. Although ozone is not as common at ground level as it is in the ozone-layer, new technology has been able to harness the power of ozone, utilizing its disinfection properties, and making it safe and easy to use at home, work or on the go so you may breathe clean natural air wherever you are.

What is Ozone?

Ozone, in its simplest form is oxygen. The oxygen that we all know, love and breathe is a combination of two oxygen atoms, represented as O2. Scientists and engineers have discovered that it is possible to split the two oxygen atoms that form O2 apart, either by low atmospheric pressure, ultraviolet (UV) light, electromagnetic radiation or electrolysis (usually in the form of lightning or an electric current). When the oxygen atoms go to rejoin together after being separated, sometimes they will rejoin together in groups of three rather than just two. When oxygen atoms join together in groups of three, that is called Ozone, which is represented as O3.

Ozone is a colorless gas with a very distinct smell. That fresh smell you get after a lightning storm, that is ozone. Just because oxygen atoms are able to reform into groups of three, does not mean that it wants to stay in groups of three. Oxygen at atmospheric pressure would rather stay in groups of two because of its atomic makeup. That means, Ozone (O3) is very unstable and constantly wants to shed or get rid of that extra oxygen atom.

Because ozone is so unstable, that makes it highly reactive with other molecules and microbes. This is where ozone gets to work. When ozone reacts with other molecules like gases, smells, microbes, bacteria, germs, fungi and viruses, ozone breaks the molecule or microbe down, either off loading the extra oxygen atom or killing the microbe all together. This eliminates the bad gases, smells, or microbes, leaving behind fresh, breathable O2 oxygen.

Because of the effectiveness, simplicity and general safety of ozone, it is an ideal method for treating air, water and external surfaces against most contaminants and pollutants.

Efficiency – How Well Does Ozone Work?

Ozone is one of the strongest disinfectants available, able to treat air, water and other solid surfaces against contaminants. Although ozone is a strong disinfectant, it is still one of the safest available disinfectants for everyday use. Ozone is said to be up to 50 times more effective than chlorine bleach. Even though ozone is up to 50 times more effective, it works without the harmful effects and byproducts which can result from other man-made cleaning chemicals, such as the carcinogenic residue left behind by chlorine bleach treatments.

Even though ozone is a powerful air and water purifier, as well as general disinfectant, it cannot be stored and therefore it has to be made each time it is needed. Because ozone is made on demand, it eliminates additional costs and environmental impacts from the storage and distribution processes.

Benefits – What Makes Ozone A Good Disinfectant?

Ozone is a potent disinfectant at low concentrations. In its gaseous state, Ozone is a proven deodorizer and bactericide. Ozone diminishes the need of chemicals to zero and does not leave any potentially harmful byproducts, hence being the most sustainable and environmental-friendly treatment technology. After all, the main byproduct of ozone after oxidization and disinfecting is O2 oxygen.

Ozone from air purifiers can kill contaminants that provoke mold development in several minutes. It is also efficient against dangerous pollutants such as bacteria cells, harmful microorganisms, and viruses. It oxidizes any surface to eliminate mildew, heavy metals, and pesticides that cause damage human respiratory health. 

Applications – Where Is Ozone Used As A Disinfectant?

Ozone is a very powerful oxidant, able to break down a wide variety of compounds and microorganisms. Ozone is ideal because of its relatively safe to use, as well as it oxidation and disinfection properties which can be fully utilized in many applications.

In treating potable water, ozone has the proven ability to convert harmful organic materials to safer biodegradable materials. As a result, combining ozone with other biological treatments can produce water with lower concentrations of harmful organic compounds and be more cost-effective than any other individual process used.

Ozone is also FDA-approved for direct contact with food. Using ozone to treat the food during the packaging stage can extend the shelf life of most food products.

Ozone disinfection is especially useful for residents in large cities and urban areas where there are numerous factories, heavy traffic, and other high-pollution areas. Ozone air purifiers are a must for these types of everyday pollutants that strive in these types of environments. Ozone purifiers are recommended for industrial areas to get rid of any offensive airborne chemical smells. They can be easily installed to remove various odors that are common in homes, offices, manufacturing areas, laboratories and other various high traffic areas where people spend a lot of their time occupying. Ozone air purifiers are also great for smoking zones to reduce smokescreens, tobacco smells, and other long-lasting odors.

Safety – Is Such A Powerful Disinfectant Like Ozone Safe To Use?

Ozone is considered one of the strongest natural germicides in the air and deals with any and all kinds of atmospheric and surface pollution, among other contaminates. Despite this, ozone is know not to be carcinogenic or allergenic and does not impair reproduction; nor is it easily absorbed by the skin. For ozone that is made for consumer and industrial purposes, there are regulatory frameworks in place in most countries providing guidelines for safe human exposure levels to ozone.

Frameworks are necessary because ozone does still come with some risks to health. A person in direct contact with the ozone in a small area can experience discomforts or even more serious respiratory symptoms within a few minutes.

Nevertheless, it is common in industrial, commercial and residential environments to use high concentrations of ozone to disinfect areas large and small more quickly. During this type of disinfection process, one would be require to leave the room for a while to avoid any discomforts.

Reassuringly, ozone is completely safe to use and be around when it is inside the level limit concentration (LLC), which is commonly considered to be 0.1 parts per million (ppm) and can be easily detectable at low concentrations by humans.

Overall

With the disinfectant power of Ozone, providing purified air, safe drinking water, germ-free surfaces, and cleaner environments in our homes, offices, warehouses and factories has never been easier.

With new technology constantly improving how we harness the power of ozone in our homes or in our place of work, it is becoming safer, easier and more economically efficient to do so.

Using ozone purifiers puts health first, getting fresh air free from unhealthy irritants and other common pollutants or contaminates.

Ozone purifiers are some of the best ways to bring fresh air indoors and give you an exceptional opportunity to breathe freely.