OZONE GAS

OZONE GAS

Ozone (O3) is a gas composed of 3 oxygen atoms combined in a ring. Ozone itself is a toxic, blue colored gas, which has a distinct odor, and is about one and a half times heavier than air. When it is under pressure, it is an unstable gas that decomposes readily into molecular oxygen.

It is produced in two different ways. One way that ozone is produced is by Ultra Violent radiation. At an altitude of around 30 kilometers, within the stratosphere oxygen gas, which normally forms molecules of two atoms, is hit by radiation from the sun in the form of UV light. This energy separates the two Oxygen atoms. Once separated, the atoms recombine with other particles. Ozone gas is created when a single Oxygen atom joins with an Oxygen molecule to form O3. Ozone gas can also be formed at lower altitudes. This happens through the reaction of chemicals such as Hydrocarbons and Nitrous Oxides to sunlight in much the same way as the oxygen reacts to the energy from the sun. This type of reaction creates smog. These chemicals come from the exhaust gas of vehicles and are pollutants. It damages crops and may be indirectly linked to some breathing disorders.

Ozone has more than one function. It is a powerful disinfectant, and is used to oxidize and destroy pathogenic micro-organisms in water supplies. The use of ozone can also improve the taste, odor, and color of water by destroying certain impurities which cause these problems. It has been used extensively as a primary disinfecting agent in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and parts of Canada since the early 1900′s. Ozone is 25 times more powerful than hypochlorous acid and about 500 times faster! Also, the atmosphere’s ozone layer protects life against harmful solar radiation by filtering out UV light which reduces your chances of getting skin cancer and cataracts.

Ozone cannot be transported in vessels because it decomposes spontaneously in the presence of oxidizable impurities, humidity and solid surfaces. The rate of decomposition increases with temperature. Because of its strong tendency to decompose and release oxygen, ozone is extremely reactive. It reacts explosively with oil and grease. Low concentrations of ozone have a significant effect on textiles, fabrics, organic dyes, metals, plastics and paints. It causes the characteristic cracking of stressed rubber. A few substances are resistant to the oxidizing effect of ozone, including glass and some stainless steel.

Ozone absorbs heat energy that is reflected off the surface of the earth, this means that the energy stays close to the earth and is not allowed to escape. This can contribute to Global Warming, therefore, Ozone is a greenhouse gas.

Ozone gas is poisonous to humans, animals and plants. Even at an exposure level of 0.1 ppm ozone, premature ageing may result in man if exposure is sufficiently prolonged.