7 Ozone Myths Dispelled

While you may not have heard much about ozone disinfection until recently, it is not a new technology. In fact, ozone has been widely used since the early 1900s, in Europe and in the United States, to treat water and sanitize medical environments and food storage facilities. Ozone is also used as a disinfectant in bottled water plants. Today, ozone is the fastest-growing disinfection technology in the global water treatment market. Despite its increasing use for an increasing number of applications, there are still a number of myths about ozone that need to be dispelled.

Myth #1 - Ozone is dangerous

Facts: It’s true that for chemicals or ozone, if you inhale enough you can damage your lungs. However, when ozone is “dissolved” in water – called aqueous ozone and used in a properly designed system– there is no concern it will be inhaled because the ozone is injected directly into the water in prescribed concentrations. Aclarus excels at aqueous applications and Ozone has been approved by Health Canada, CFIA, OSHA, FDA, USDA and the EPA for safe use as a disinfectant; it is also classified organic.

Myth #2 - Ozone is bad for the environment

Facts: Actually, it’s the opposite.

Ozone (O3) is produced when an electrical charge is applied to oxygen (O2). This causes the oxygen molecules to separate and temporarily recombine with other oxygen molecules, forming ozone. In nature, ozone is naturally generated by the sun’s ultraviolet rays or through lightning strikes. When aqueous ozone encounters pathogens in water – such as bacteria or viruses – it causes those micro-organisms to “oxidate”. This is a natural process that not only kills pathogens but leaves oxygen as the only by-product!

Myth #3 - Ozone is more expensive than chemical disinfectants

Facts: With advances in technology, ozone is now a very cost-effective water treatment. Today’s cutting-edge generators mean that your operating costs are minimal. Ozone is now a very cost-effective water treatment. For example, Aclarus Ozone systems cost about 5 cents per 1,000 litres of water treated. Monthly costs are also reduced because there is less need to purchase, transport and store expensive chemicals.

Myth #4 - Chlorine is a better disinfectant choice

Facts: Chlorine is certainly well-known for being a disinfectant and has the largest market share of all disinfection technologies. However, ozone is actually 50 times more effective at disinfection than chlorine and works much faster.

Chlorine is a chemical and can cause carcinogenic by-products. Ozone by comparison is chemical-free and the most environmentally friendly water disinfection technology available. What’s more, ozone has capabilities beyond acting as a superior disinfectant for bacteria and viruses. It also treats other contaminants like metals and is effective for treating contaminants of emerging concern (CECS) like pesticides, medicines and hormones, and eliminates any colour, taste or smell in the water. Ozone is proven to be faster, stronger and safer for disinfection.

Myth #5 - Disinfection can take months

Facts: When aqueous ozone comes into contact with surfaces, the process of oxidation and disinfection is immediate. Aclarus onsite generators treat the incoming water as it flows, on-demand, so that there is no disruption to operations like there would be for chemical disinfection.

Myth #6 - Ozone will oxidize my metal pipes

Facts: While ozone is a powerful oxidizer, it is typically converted back to oxygen before it enters the plumbing system. Ozone is left in the water when it is used for sanitation and stored water for example, but not for drinking water. When ozone is left in the water for sanitation purposes, ozone resistant plumbing is required. Ozone is safe for stainless, PVC and PEX materials and it can also help maintain them by removing bio-film, metals and bacteria that could build up otherwise.

Myth #7 - Ozone does not have any residual or by-products

Facts: This is also a myth, but with some important distinctions. First, by-products from ozonation are rare and easily preventable, unlike chemicals such as chlorine which have hundreds of potential by-products that are difficult to remove. While chemicals and their by-products are persistent and remain in the water and wastewater, ozone breaks down to only water and oxygen, which is environmentally friendly. Second, ozone has a very short half-life, which makes it very reactive and excellent at killing pathogens quickly. When ozone is used in food processing, ozone’s residual half-life is anywhere from 10-20 minutes.