The air you breathe has a huge impact on your body, so ensuring its optimal quality is essential for those who really care about their health.
Airborne bacteria and viruses? Dust? Traffic fumes? How much of those are you breathing in with every passing minute?
Granted, you can’t change global tendencies, get rid of universal pollutants, or freely move to the unspoiled wilderness with crystal clear skies BUT you can reclaim control over what you inhale in your own home. One of the ways of doing so is with the help of personal ozone generators – devices that purify the air, eliminate germs, cleanse odors, and support respiratory health.
So, what are ozone generators and how do they work?
Ozone generators are small devices that create ozone (O3), sometimes referred as trioxygen. In nature, this gas is usually formed when ultraviolet rays or powerful electric discharges (lightning bolts, for example) hit the oxygen molecules in the atmosphere.
Ozone generators work in a similar fashion: either by means of an electric discharge or via UV radiation, these machines break down part of the air’s oxygen (O2) into separate atoms of oxygen (O). Said atoms then come into contact with intact oxygen molecules and form trios – O3, thus making ozone.
Ozone: how does it work and why it’s great for your health
Gaseous ozone has 2 important properties to keep in mind:
So, when a molecule of ozone comes into contact with airborne bacteria, aromatic molecules, particles of dust, fungal spores or anything similar, ozone “gives up” one of its oxygen atoms and transforms from O3 back to O2. The third oxygen atom oxidizes the pollutant, basically burning it on a molecular level.
The final products of this chemical fire are oxygen (as a remnant of ozone) along with water and CO2 (usual products of oxidation) – everything natural and absolutely safe.
Confirmed benefits and uses of gaseous ozone
Safety measures and possible dangers
Although gaseous ozone is generally safe in most cases it’s still important to remember it’s highly toxic in higher concentrations. Therefore, basic safety rules should be followed at all times:
Early symptoms of excessive ozone exposure include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. If you notice yourself experiencing any of these, make sure that your generator is turned off, open all windows in the room, and go away for about 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Ozone generators are fabulous devices to have at home: besides cleaning the air of nasty bacteria and microscopic particles of dust, they can fill your apartment with that invigorating after-the-rain smell – natural freshness at its best!
Just keep in mind that ozone generators also have important safety recommendations, so make sure to carefully read the instructions provided with your device.
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