Ozone is sometimes called "activated oxygen". 

It contains three atoms of oxygen O3 rather than the two atoms we normally breath. 

Ozone is the second most powerful sterlilant in the world and its function is to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors. 

Ozone occurs quite readily in nature most often as a result of lightning strikes that occur during thunderstorms. 

The "fresh, clean, spring rain " smell that we notice after a storm results from natures creation of ozone.

Ozone is also created by water falls and other natural sources. We are probably most familiar with ozone from reading about the "ozone layer" that circles the earth above the  atmosphere. 

Ozone is created by the sun's ultra-violet rays.  This serves to protect us from ultra-violet radiation.

HOW DOES OZONE WORK?

 Ozone kills bacteria by rupturing the cell wall of the offending organism. 

While ozone is very powerful, it has a very short life cycle.  When it is faced with odors the extra atom of oxygen destroys them completely by oxidation. 

In addition to the effectiveness of ozone, we also know that it is safe when used properly. 
Note that there has never been an illness claimed to have resulted from ozone exposure.

The three-atom form of oxygen is a naturally occurring compound in the earth's atmosphere.  The life cycle of ozone is: generation, oxidation, return to oxygen.

Trace amounts of ozone are formed by the sun and by lightning. 

Ozone cannot be stored or transported because of its unstable tendency to break down quickly, so ozone must be generated on site.

Because gaseous ozone is highly reactive, it readily oxidizes (breaks down) organic matter.  When the ozone encounters another compound, one oxygen atom will break away, attach itself to the compound, and oxidize it.  Ozone actually breaks down odor-causing compounds, thereby eliminating the odor and changing the ozone back to oxygen (O2).

Ozone acts 3000 times faster than chlorine as a bactericide, and it is the strongest oxidant commercially available for air & water treatment.

One of the best features of ozone is its ability to control odors by attacking the offending organisms.

Far stronger than simple ions, which cannot possibly kill substantial amounts of bacteria,
OZONE has the ability to kill any bacteria or virus known to man.

HOUSEHOLD ODORS…
One of the most powerful and effective eliminators of smoke and a myriad of other odors is ozone. 
Ozone Generating machines utilize ozone to destroy tobacco smoke and its inherent impurities plus odors from pets, cooking, mold, mildew and other household sources.

Elimination of these hazards provides a much healthier atmosphere and a more comfortable living environment.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION…
Indoor air pollution is recognized as one of the major health concerns facing the nation today. This condition has been created by the search for more energy efficient buildings, work places. 

Through the use of an Ozone generator we can dramatically reduce the pollution contamination, creating a much safer atmosphere indoors. Restaurants, lounges, beauty shops and many other public areas can be cleansed of odors by destroying the source with ozone.

The right level is when all the generated ozone is being used up accomplishing its job. Initially the machine's output is set high to get rid of the problem odor as quickly as possible. 
As this is being accomplished less ozone is required for the diminishing odor etc., thereby leaving some residual ozone in the air.  If the machine output is not turned down after awhile then more residual ozone will be in the air.

If there is a heavy smell of ozone, then there is more ozone present than is required to do the job. Simply turn the output level control down, or the unit off. 

It is not necessary that you even smell the sweet smell of ozone (compared to fresh country air following a thunderstorm) for it to be effective. Even roses are an objectionable odor to some people, when in excess.

As soon as ozone is formed in the generator and dispersed in a room some of it decays back into oxygen.  This step occurs by several processes including the following: Natural decay (or revision to oxygen) due to ozone chemical instability. 

The natural process is speeded up by the presence of  walls, carpets, furniture etc. Oxidation reaction with odor causing organic material, which removes ozone. Reactions with bacteria again consumes ozone by oxidation reactions. 

Additionally ozone itself has a very short half life which means that any extra ozone will return to oxygen within about 30 minutes, in amounts equal to half its level.

It eliminates the irritation caused by phenol gasses, by oxidizing them. 
Phenol gasses are the invisible part of tobacco smoke that cause such offensive odors, and discomfort to one's eyes and nasal passages.

Ozone rids offensive odors in the environment rather than merely filtering out some of the visible particles like other "air cleaners".

YES. Ozone is safe when used properly.  Don't be fooled by other manufacturers claims that ionizers are better.  Ionizers have NO ability to kill bacteria or mold spores.

Air-Zone ozone generators do not put out a high level of nitrogen oxide, as many other brands of ozone machines do. This is because of our patented Xetin ozone element found in every one of our machines.
Air-Zone ozone generators also put out O4, O5, O6, O7, as a natural process of the ozone generation.

The Food and Drug Administration has just amended its food additive regulations to permit ozone use as an anti microbial agent. 
The amendment, published in the Federal Register on June, 28 2001 allows for ozone use in gaseous and aqueous uses, and for safe and effective anti microbial treatment of meat, poultry, and other food products.

Tests have shown that common household bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungus are greatly reduced by the addition of as little as 50 ppb of ozone in typical household environments.

Specifically but not limited to; E-Coli, Salmonella Choleraesuis, Staphylococcus Aureua, Candida Albicans, and Aspergillus Niger have been shown to have dramatic reductions in population in independent laboratory tests. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1991, confirmed that ozone was effective in ridding water of hazardous pathogens, including chlorine resistant Cryptosporidium.”  Agricultural Outlook, June/July, 1998.

Questions & Answers about Ozone

WHAT IS THE RIGHT LEVEL OF OZONE?

 The right level is when all the generated ozone is being used up accomplishing its job. 

Initially the machine's output is set to a high level to rid the problem odor as quickly as possible.  As the odor is being diminished less ozone is required.

The ozone level can then be turned down or more than is needed ozone than is needed will remain in the air. 
If there is a strong "bleach" odor of ozone in the room, then there is more ozone present than is required to do the job. 
Simply turn the ozone generator off or it's ozone output level control down. 

More is not considered better. In fact if the ozone level is too high, it will become irritating.

You can also "shock" a room with very high levels of ozone when you are not in it. 

Your room will then be disinfected of odors and germs, and be a much more sanitary environment to be in.

Set ozone to a setting where you can barely detect ozone after an hour of operation.

If ozone is still detected in 15 minutes reduce ozone setting, if the offending odor is still prevalent, increase ozone setting. 
Properly adjusted, neither ozone or the objectionable odor should be detected.

Air circulation is an important factor in how effective ozone works.  An oscillating fan can be placed next to generator for proper circulation.

The unit should be mounted high in the room, 6 to 8 feet off the floor pointing away from sensitive areas. 
It is not necessary that you even smell the sweet smell of ozone for it to be effective.

Ozone has been documented for over a century now, so quite a lot is known about it. 

OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Agency has stipulated that the safe allowable level of residual ozone is .08 ppm. This is supposedly based upon the historical safety of ozone. 

Note that this permissible level is for continuous exposure throughout an entire 8 hour day for 5 days a week.

No Federal or State agency can agree an what the maximum level of ozone exposure should be, so there is no standardization in maximum permissible ozone levels.

That signifies these numbers are arbitrary, meaning they are not really sure of what a maximum sustainable ozone level should be.

Since excess ozone gives off an unmistakable strong "bleach like" odor, one always know if too much is present in the air.

In other words before ozone could  possibly have any unsafe effects, one would be greatly offended by it's odor.

Ozone is safe to use in occupied areas because we notice it's unpleasant odor at very low levels. 

This equipment, when installed correctly will not exceed government guidelines for continuous safe exposure. Even if installed incorrectly, ozone provides its own protection, since ozone warns us in a manner similar to smoke in a room. 

Precautions should be taken, however, because the nose can loose it's ability to sense the ozone after a sustained period of time. If one senses a headache or sore through it may mean the ozone level is too high.

The fact remains if the ozone level is much higher than is recommended to be consider safe,  it would become so pungent that anyone could sense it. 

Ozone does this by becoming so offensive at 1.5 parts per million that we would not be able to stay in the environment for more than a short period. 

This is much like what would happen if we entered a smoke filled room. 

However, while smoke may harm us, research has proven that such a limited exposure to what is still considered low level of ozone, that would it irritate us will have no serious long term affect on us.

There are times when the outside ozone level exceeds what is recommended.  You may have heard of a high ozone day, or ozone alert.
This happens when the weather forces the industrial gases to remain lower to the ground than is otherwise normal. 

This can result in ozone readings higher than 5 times the recommended "regulatory" levels for continuous exposure.
Yet these levels have not been scientifically shown to have any adverse affects.

No one has ever claimed a worker's related illness resulting from ozone exposure.