Ozone is a naturally occurring element that is frequently created during active thunderstorms. Electrical discharges from lightening impart a "sweet smell" that we often recognize as fresh air — something similar to the clean smell of laundry hung outside to dry.

All About Ozone

Ozone (or trivalent oxygen) is, perhaps, the most misunderstood element in the air we breathe… On one hand, we are sometimes told that it is a harmful or poisonous gas that can damage our lungs. On the other hand, scientists have long recognized its qualities as a natural air purifier.

The truth is this: Ozone is actually the most natural element available for ridding any indoor environment of unwanted mold, mildew, bacteria and odors. Let's simply call ozone Nature's Purifier…

Air loses its basic freshness quality merely by being drawn into a heating or air conditioning systems. It suffers as much as a 90% reduction of the natural ozone and negative ion levels, which would otherwise combat staleness issues.

Breathing is normally regulated by the body without any conscious action on our part. However, when air contains even minute quantities of disagreeable odors, we unconsciously shorten our breaths, thus reducing the total volume of oxygen taken into the lungs. This can sometimes result in a mild form of auto-intoxication as wastes in the blood stream increase and our brain cells become slightly oxygen-deprived. And anyone who has worked in an office building will

recognize the symptoms of auto-intoxication: lethargy, tiredness, irritability, inability to concentrate…

The amount of time taken to deodorize air is determined by the quantity of odor producing substances in the air, and the quantity of ozone available to react to and neutralize it. This formula holds true for fabrics, carpeting, and building materials (walls, paneling, flooring) as well.

There are as many as 53 different chemical substances emitted by clothing that has been recently dry cleaned. A puff of cigarette smoke, on the other hand, can contain more than 4 billion particles and more than 1500 compounds, ranging from suspended chemical particles and tars, to light, reactive gases (including deadly carbon monoxide). Ozone destroys most of these noxious byproducts.

Ozone's Creation

Ozone is most frequently created by the interaction of nitrogen oxides with the sun's natural ultraviolet light. Anywhere that hydrocarbons coexist with strong sunlight and moisture, ozone will occur in some quantity.

Not surprisingly, vacation spots that are often considered the most healthy in the country have some of the highest natural concentrations of ozone.

Truths about Ozone and how it works   »