Frequently Asked Questions 

An important hint at the beginning: The topic of ozone is broadly explained within the respective Wikipedia article.

 What is ozone?

When the oxygen (O2) that is all around us rises to the upper atmosphere and is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, it is naturally turned into ozone (O3). This forms the ozone layer which protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays. In turn, low amounts of ground level ozone naturally purify our air and water.

Without ozone, nature would not be able to purify our earth. As ozone is entirely made up of oxygen, it is sometimes called "activated oxygen".

Ozone is the second most powerful sterlilant in the world. One of its characteristic features is to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors.

In nature, ozone commonly occurs as a result of lightning strikes during thunderstorms. The "fresh, clean, spring rain" smell we notice after a thunderstorm results from an ozonisation of the atmosphere.

If natural ozone ceased to exist, life on this planet would also cease to exist. Ozone is nature's way of purifying the air we breathe.

 Isn't ozone smog?

Ozone is O3, three atoms of oxygen linked together, as compared to the two atoms of oxygen (O2) we normally breathe. Ozone is not smog. While ozone is sometimes mistakenly referred to as smog, smog is actually a combination of malodorant hydrocarbons (miasma). Thus what is commonly called "ozone" with reference to ground level air quality is actually a mixture of these various toxic hydrocarbons, not ozone. These hydrocarbons are most frequently created by car exhaust and factory fumes.

The benefits of ozone are widely accepted throughout the world. Thus, offering the most environmentally-friendly, cost-saving and efficient method available, ozone will replace many inefficient forms of air purification, including ionization, in the near future.

 How does ozone work?

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Ozone kills bacteria by rupturing the cell wall of the offending organism. Being very powerful and reactive on one hand, ozone (O3) has a very short life cycle on the other hand. Faced with odors, it immediately converts to O2, the extra oxygen atom destroying the odors by means of oxidation.

As a bactericide, ozone acts 3000 times faster than chlorine. It is the strongest oxidant commercially available for air & water treatment. One of the most striking features of ozone is its ability to remove odors by attacking the organisms which cause them.

 The composition of ozone

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The three atom form of oxygen is a naturally occurring compound in the earth's atmosphere. Generation, oxidation, return to oxygen - this is the life cycle of ozone. Trace amounts of ozone are formed by the sun and by lightning. Ozone cannot be stored or due to its unstable tendency. Breaking down quickly, it must be generated on site.

Since gaseous ozone is highly reactive, it readily oxidizes (breaks down) organic matter. When ozone encounters another compound, one oxygen atom will break away, attach itself to the compound and oxidize it. Thus Ozone (O3) actually breaks down odor causing compounds, eliminates the odor and changes back to oxygen (O2).

 How can ozone be generated?

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Ozone can be generated with different kinds of ozone generators, depending on the required concentration and application. Anseros has developed different kinds of generator technologies to meet the desired tasks.

For more detailled information, please refer to the ozone generators section or ask for our catalog.

 How long does the ozone last?

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Due to its chemical instability, ozone has a very short half life. Within about 30 minutes, half of it will return to oxygen.

As soon as ozone is formed in an ozone generator and dispersed in a room, this natural decaying process will start. It will be speeded up by the presence of walls, carpets, furniture etc. Oxidation reactions with odor causing microorganisms take place, removing both the odors and the ozone, leaving oxygen behind.

 Is ozone safe?

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This is one of the most commonly asked questions.

Yes, ozone is safe when used properly. There is no reason to fear ozone as a matter of principle. Certainly, inhaling high levels of ozone is a true health danger. However, low amounts of ground level ozone have always been around us, and are safe to breathe. Therefore it is important to distinguish between applications and doses.

When an ozonized room is not being entered, the use ozone at any level will be completely safe as long as you wait until the ozone reverts back to oxygen before re-entering the room. This takes only about an hour or two.

Since ozone is entirely made up of oxygen, it will revert into harmless oxygen once the ozonation process is completed. Therefore it will be safer in most cases to use ozone rather than toxic chemicals that will keep some of their toxicity after the application.

Thus, high ozone levels are an absolutely recommendable means for killing bacteria, viruses or mold and for removing strong odors as of burning if the ozonized room is not being entered.

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