Commercial air purifiers that produce ozone create the gas on purpose. It's common for ozone generator sellers to assure customers that their products are risk-free and guaranteed to reduce indoor air pollution in promotional materials and interviews.
A lot has been written about ozone and how it can be used in the home. The statements and conclusions drawn by much of this content, however, lack proper scientific backing. The EPA combed through a wide range of this literature while designing Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners, including data provided by a market-leading manufacturer of ozone generating devices.
Only findings and conclusions that have been subjected to rigorous scientific scrutiny and found to have solid scientific backing have been used in the development of this publication, in keeping with EPA policy on providing information based on good research.
Several different ozone generator brands all carry the EPA's establishment number. This code allows the EPA to pinpoint the precise manufacturing plant that created the item. Display of this number does not constitute or imply EPA approval or that the product has been evaluated by the EPA for safety or effectiveness.
In order to produce and release ions (O2-, OH-, N2+, and so on), an ionizer ionizes air molecules. In addition to releasing ions, some goods can release ozone (O3). However, an ozonizer can produce and release ozone effectively from oxygen molecules (O2). It does not produce any ions at all. They each feature distinctively designed generators and are sold independently.
Ozone In The Food Industry
Due to its oxidizing properties, ozone has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry. Any lingering ozone quickly decomposes into nontoxic oxygen. However, if there is an abundance of ozone in the air, the food may become discolored and lose its flavor due to surface oxidation.
Ozone's effectiveness in reducing harmful microorganisms on fresh and dried foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, fruits, and vegetables is still debatable. Other species, such as negative air ions (NAI) and nitrogen oxides, may be produced and emitted into the treatment environment in varying amounts, depending on the ozone generating technology used.
Dental offices have seen a reduction in airborne microbial contamination, chicken hatcheries have seen a reduction in Salmonella contamination (6), and poultry houses have seen a reduction in the airborne spread of viruses, all as a result of the use of NAI.
Ozone in Crime Scene Cleanup
First Responders clear the scene, more often than not, the visible evidence of the crime scene remains. First Responders do not clean and sanitize the scene before departure. Ozone specialists are hired in these instances to do a more though cleanup and remove the smell.