Ozonators - Helpful or Harmful?
Article by Marcy Covaul, President, Pyrrhura Breeders Association
Also Refer to Article: The Danger of Ozone Generators
🤔 The Ozone Controversy
Ozone is one of those love/hate topics, with people polarized on both sides. We hear about the necessity of the ozone layer to keep harmful solar rays from reaching the earth. Then we read about a government study that says ozone is the major constituent of polluting smog and that prolonged exposure causes respiratory system scarring. And finally, we are told about the germicidal and "fresh air" benefits of using ozonators indoors.
Is this some "jekyl and hyde" chemical, or what? In the following article, we'll discuss some benefits and potential problems with this controversial molecule.
🧪 What is Ozone?
Ozone is an unstable trivalent oxygen molecule (O₃)—said to be "unstable" because it readily decomposes to ordinary oxygen, which means for maximum effectiveness it must be manufactured "on site" for specific applications. This also means it doesn't build up by "soaking into the walls", so to speak.
🦠 Germicidal Properties
Pierces cell walls of bacteria and virus microorganisms on contact, destroying them 3,000 times faster than chlorine, without chlorine's side effects.
🌬️ Deodorizing Effects
"Oxidizes" or binds with many organic compounds to effectively neutralize them.
📍 Where is Ozone Found?
🌍 High Altitude "Pure" Ozone
Forms a protective barrier from harmful solar rays around most of the earth.
⛈️ Ground Level Natural Ozone
Occurs in unpolluted areas through certain chemical/light reactions. Created electrically in nature during active thunderstorms (producing a noticeable "sweet" and sometimes acrid smell). Ozonators use electrical current to produce ozone indoors.
🏭 Urban "Impure" Ozone
Created during breakdown of certain chemical byproducts of industrial processes or through photochemical production from automobile emissions and mass burners—difficult to find ozone here that's not combined with and contaminated by pollutants.
✅ Benefits of Using Ozone
🏭 Commercial Applications
- • Purification of drinking water
- • Treatment of industrial liquid wastes (cyanides, phenols)
- • Deodorization of sewage gases
- • Rendering plant exhausts treatment
- • Deodorizing air in buildings
- • Food and plant preservation in cold storage
- • Sterilization of containers for aseptic packaging
🏠 Private Applications
- • Purification of drinking water
- • "Freshening" indoor air
- • Oxygenation and oxidation therapy (with hydrogen peroxide)
- • Reducing bacterial and fungal counts indoors
- • Fighting Aspergillosis and candida
📊 Reported Benefits from Studies & Anecdotal Evidence
Safety Note: Manufacturers recommend levels well below the current national standard of 0.08 ppm (you can smell it at around 0.04 ppm), and most stop just short of recommending 24-hour, year-round operation.
⚠️ Potential Problems of Ozonating
🔬 EPA Laboratory Studies
Laboratory studies (commissioned by the EPA) have shown that animal exposures of relatively low ozone levels, if repeated over a long period of time (e.g., months, years, lifetime), may result in:
Special Concern: This is due to the oxidative properties of ozone—it may react with almost any biological substrate, but the cell membrane appears to be the site of toxicity. The results of these studies are of particular concern to aviculturists because of the delicate nature of the avian respiratory system.
⚖️ The Dose Makes the Poison
As a matter of fact, every chemical has the capacity to be lethal in significant doses—an example of the old adage about too much of a good thing. For instance, salt is essential for good health—nerve cells require sodium to transmit electrical signals; kidneys require some salt to function properly and filter body wastes; and replenishment of salt during periods of heat stress is essential. However, at elevated levels and for prolonged periods of exposure, too much salt can result in hypertension and cardiac failure.
👥 Conflicting Expert Opinions
🚫 Toxicologist Opinion #1
"My recommendation is that ozone air purifying systems should not be used around birds. There are risks to human health as well, even in low concentrations."
⚖️ Toxicologist Opinion #2
"I like to have an ozonator around for emergencies. Because ozone is a strong oxidizer, it will degrade almost any airborne chemical..."
Safe Usage Guidelines: Can be used safely when turned to a level where you can't smell the ozone. For emergencies, higher levels acceptable where you can barely smell it, with precautions like removing the emergency source, opening windows, using exhaust systems.
💡 Final Recommendations
🔬 Research Status
Research is incomplete - partly because of lack of funded studies and partly because of lack of completed long-term studies. It certainly seems to be a case where if a little is wonderful, a lot is not necessarily fantastic.
💰 Industry Considerations
Because ozone is relatively cheap to produce, it has been suggested that some powerful pharmaceutical companies have campaigned to keep it unpopular (similar to solar vs. petroleum energy sources).
🎯 Author's Conclusion
From my own interpretation of the literature reviewed, my personal conclusion is that occasional use for the beneficial aspects of ozone may be appropriate, but I could not advocate constant, continual use of ozonators indoors.
⚖️ Personal Responsibility
At this point in time, each steward of our feathered companions must use common sense and their own discretion—and continually self-educate—in their decision on frequency of use and acceptable ozone concentrations in their indoor aviaries.
📚 References for Further Reading
- • Alpine Industries. "Essential Ozone," Blain, MN
- • Edwards, H. Banks, P.E. "Indoor Air Quality—A Different Approach," Envirolutions, Inc., Atlanta, GA
- • EPA. "Air Pollutant Descriptions: Ozone"
- • EPA/OAQPS. "Ozone - Good Up High, Bad Nearby"
- • Milton, Mardelle & Olson, Richard. "The Ozone Story," O3 Zone, 1996
- • North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. "Air Filters & Cleaners," North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., 1995
- • Olcerst, Robert, Ph.D. "Ozone Monograph: Toxicity and Evaluation," Brujos Scientific, Inc., Baltimore, Md., 1990
- • Ozone Services, Yanco Industries Ltd. "Medical Miracle or Health-Care Hoax? Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide in Healing," Langley, B.C., 1995
Copyright © 2007 Marcy Covault. All rights reserved.
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