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Ozone is a gas consisting of three oxygen atoms. It occurs both in the upper atmosphere of the Earth and at ground level. Ozone can be good or bad depending on where it is located and how we use it.
Ozone – good and bad
Known as stratospheric ozone, good ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere where it forms a protective layer that protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays. This beneficial ozone has been partially destroyed by man-made chemicals, causing what is sometimes called an “ozone hole”. The good news is that this hole is shrinking.
On the other hand, ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant due to its impact on people and the environment, and is the main component of “smog”.
See also: To sunbathe or not – how does the sun affect the skin?
Ozone – how is it formed in the ground layer?
Tropospheric ozone, or ground-level ozone, is not emitted directly into the air, but is produced by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This happens when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight.
Ozone is likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot, sunny days in an urban environment, but can still reach high levels in the cooler months. Ozone can also be carried over long distances by wind, so even rural areas can experience high ozone levels.
See also: Air pollution is a health hazard
Ozone – harmful effects
Ozone is a strong oxidant that can irritate the respiratory tract. Ozone in the air we breathe can harm our health, especially on hot, sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels. Even relatively low ozone levels can have negative health effects.
People most at risk of inhaling ozone-containing air are those with asthma, children, the elderly and those who are active outdoors, especially those who work outdoors. In addition, people with certain genetic characteristics and those with reduced intakes of certain nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, are more likely to be exposed to ozone.
Children are most at risk of exposure to ozone as their lungs are still developing and are more likely to be actively spending time outdoors when ozone levels are high, increasing their exposure. Children are also more likely to develop asthma than adults.
Depending on the level of ozone exposure, it can:
- Cause coughing and sore or scratchy throat.
- Make it difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously and cause pain when you breathe in deeply.
- Damage the respiratory tract.
- Make the lungs more susceptible to infection.
- Worsen lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- Increase the frequency of asthma attacks.
Some of these effects have been found even in healthy people, but the effects may be more severe in people with lung conditions such as asthma. They can lead to more absences from school, medication, visits to doctors and emergency rooms, and hospital admissions.
Long-term exposure to ozone has been associated with exacerbation of asthma and is possibly one of the many causes of asthma development. Studies in locations with elevated concentrations also indicate a relationship between ozone and deaths due to respiratory causes.
Ozone – positive effects
The greatest use of ozone is in the production of pharmaceuticals, synthetic lubricants, and many other commercially useful organic compounds, where it is used to break carbon-carbon bonds.
It can also be used to bleach and kill microorganisms in air and water sources. Many municipal drinking water systems kill bacteria with ozone instead of the more common chlorine. This is because ozone has a very high oxidation potential and does not form organochlorine compounds or remain in the water after treatment. When spoiled, it leaves no taste or smell in the drinking water.
It is also used in the food industry, e.g. for the sterilization of fruit and vegetables, destroying yeast, mold and bacteria. It can also kill insects in stored grain.
Many hospitals around the world use large ozone generators to decontaminate operating theaters between offices. The rooms are cleaned and then sealed tightly before being filled with ozone, which effectively kills or neutralizes all remaining bacteria. In medical applications, ozone in gaseous or liquid form is used to treat diseases and for local disinfection.
One 2011 review reported that ozone therapy was used for the following:
- arthritis treatment;
- combating viral diseases such as HIV and SARS;
- wound disinfection;
- supporting the immune system;
- treatment of ischemic heart disease;
- treatment of macular degeneration;
- cancer treatment.
Scientists are currently studying the effects of ozone therapy on the human body to identify potential therapeutic benefits. So far, however, little research has been done into the true efficacy and safety of ozone therapy. While ozone has been shown to be effective in fighting the virus that causes HIV outside the body, no studies have shown its safety or effectiveness in humans. For this reason, official organizations do not currently accept its use.
See also: Is ozonation effective in removing the coronavirus from rooms or money?
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