General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHas anyone heard if ozone kills the virus?
Last edited Sat Mar 14, 2020, 08:39 AM - Edit history (2)
Will ozone kill this virus like it can kill other types of coronavirus? I do have an ozone machine (small one) and haven't heard if it will or not. Does heat (steam)kill it and at what temperature, and can the virus contaminate water systems?
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners
Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners
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How is Ozone Harmful?
The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause harmful health consequences. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. People vary widely in their susceptibility to ozone. Healthy people, as well as those with respiratory difficulty, can experience breathing problems when exposed to ozone. Exercise during exposure to ozone causes a greater amount of ozone to be inhaled, and increases the risk of harmful respiratory effects.
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Bernardo de La Paz
(48,790 posts)sl8
(13,584 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(48,790 posts)duforsure
(11,882 posts)Mike 03
(16,616 posts)generators.
Personally, I would explore these before using straight ozone generators.
There are studies that suggest negative ions inactivate live viruses, but they need to be scrutinized extremely carefully.
If you Google "negative ions viruses" you'll see various studies and claims, including that negative ion generation is used in hospitals, casinos, various workplaces (even the space shuttle). Make sure they are credible studies. I own negative ion generators and use them for more pedestrian purposes like dust control and allergen removal.
Many newer air cleaners have a negative ion emitting function but there are tremendous differences between generators in terms of the number of negative ions being emitted. There are extremely powerful negative ion generators available. They have drawbacks too.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,790 posts)EPA limits 0.070 parts per million, and avoid repeated exposure to even that. That is 70 parts per billion.
If a house has 2,000 sq feet with 10 foot high ceilings, that is 20,000 cubic feet = 34.5 million cubic inches. Mulitiply by 0.000,000,070 and you get about two cubic inches, and that has to be fully dispersed. It would be much higher next to a machine.
Now, the problem with the Covid-19 virus is it is NOT aerosolized, generally. You aren't intubating patients at home or work? That procedure makes aerosolized virus.
This is a contact virus. Very little from airborne spread, though it is good to stand two metres (yards) from anyone you talk to.
It spreads by contact. Someone wipes their nose and touches the aisle corner of an airline seat. A couple of minutes later someone else puts their hand there and seconds later touches their face. That's how it spreads.
I do not recommend ozone in any closed space. Kinda like using chemotherapy to treat a scraped knee.
Not touching your face will do more for you than any ozone machine ever.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)and studied and tested only by reputable universities, independent labs, hospitals and government orgs. - but NEVER by any organization that's trying to sell us something.
In addition, such things need to have been approved as safe for use in homes. Just because it's being sold at Walmart or on Amazon does not mean it's safe or effective. They will however, be more than glad to take our money.
I know that's a tall order but the internet is awash with coronavirus scams and misinformation as we speak. Look for reputable proof of any claim you see.
The use of ozone has not been tested for this virus, and besides our bodies don't like the stuff and many materials in homes can be damaged as well with long-term use. If I recall correctly, it behaves much like chlorine.
I find it most interesting that the World Health Organization (WHO) says that ethyl alcohol (essentially PGA like that used in mixed drinks) is the most effective liquid killer of this bug for surface cleaning, but we don't want to be inhaling excessive amounts of that either.
If you're looking for something that has a long usage record for killing bacteria, mold and other viruses in the home via the air, study up on essential oil vaporizers and essential oil blends such as one called Thieves Blend.
KY..............
duforsure
(11,882 posts)Will look into that blend. I was under the impression it has been looked into before they used it on other coronaviruses in the past , and has worked well in hospital settings , and other places, with extreme caution. I am very careful when I do use it, and already have serious health conditions without getting this virus. Just curious if it kills this one , and what else will kill it.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)This is my EO list as anti-virals for colds, flu and others:
(taken from one of my essential oil books)
Tea tree essential oil (very powerful).
Clove essential oil.
Eucalyptus essential oil.
Fenugreek essential oil.
Lime essential oil.
Peppermint essential oil.
Oregano essential oil.
Patchouli essential oil.
Pine essential oil.
Ravensara essential oil (very powerful).
Thyme essential oil.
Camphor oil.
Regardless, it's a crap shoot until scientific testing is done and I would expect that to come out of Europe.
I'm going to experiment with a home-made blend of ethyl alcohol (PGA) and Tea Tree oil for making my own surface wipes. Maybe add a touch of lavender for smell-good.
The big relief is that WHO says soap and water is just as damaging to it as anything else they've tested that consumers can acquire, and ethyl (grain) alcohol is their second choice.
KY....................
duforsure
(11,882 posts)Closed off to people then properly ventilated before reentering. It also kills other corona viruses. Fumes from all the chemicals being used to kill this can also possibly damage the lungs if not vented properly. Steam cleaning, I haven't heard yet if that'll kill the virus either, or if it can live and survive in water. Just wondering.
ProfessorGAC
(64,427 posts)...the chemical mechanisms that would make a virus inactive due to peroxidation is quite slow.
Also, given the dispersion of the virus and the ultra low concentration of ozone in the air, I think there would be massive mass transfer limitations. IOW, the likelihood of the rare ozone molecule coming into direct contact with a virus is exceedingly low.
The 2nd part is definitely true. I'll have to confirm the kinetic rate of oxidation, but as a general rule, those are slow to medium slow rates. Right now, I'm assuming reactions with the protein or the double bonds in some of the RNA nucleic acids. Can't think of any other routes just now.
One more thing: the lipid sheath on the protenaceous body of the body inhibits oxidation, since there's always some ozone, and even oxygen is a weak oxidizer. Viral evolution suggests that survival is dependent upon oxidative resistance.
I wouldn't count on that as a terribly effective means of protection.
duforsure
(11,882 posts)Wonder if this method would be beneficial against this virus in that way?