Ozone Treatment

What is it?

Ozone treatment is the use of ozone produced by ultraviolet light to clean out contaminants from the air.

 

How does it work?

The science
An ozone generator produces ozone, an unstable molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Because of its instability, when ozone nears contaminants one of the oxygen atoms breaks off the ozone molecule and attaches to the contaminant, quickly oxidizing, or burning, the contaminant. Oxidization results in carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The two oxygen atoms that formed the original ozone molecule have become oxygen, which we breathe.

Layman’s terms

In non-scientific terms, ozone attaches to and burns up (oxidizes) many different contaminants, leaving behind pure oxygen. Ozone can be effective against mold, odors, chemical sources, and bacteria.

 

Why does Exup use it?

Ozone is an excellent way to quickly rid a building of VOC contaminants, allowing for a healthier, cleaner indoor environment. EPA studies in their Advanced Oxidation Handbook (1998) showed that in a UV/Titanium Dioxide treatment, addition of O3 (ozone) to the air stream resulted with an increased removal of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) rate from 40% to over 99.9%!

 

The downside

High levels of ozone can damage lung tissue and increase the effects of smog, making ozone treatment an effective but limited application.

 

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