Ozone

Do we use ozone?

FAITH, LLC

Fresh Air In The Home

We use extremely high levels of ozone and other oxidizers as a “shock treatment” to oxidize molds, viruses and bacteria during sanitization. This safe and natural treatment makes it possible for you to reenter your home or office within a very short time after we’ve completed our mission. There is no need to worry about family members or pets and no toxic residue to clean up.

Many people ask about the science behind our sanitization methods. Hopefully this page will better explain how the ozone part works.

What is ozone?

When the oxygen (O₂) that is all around us is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, that oxygen is naturally turned into ozone (O₃). Because it is made up entirely of oxygen (O₃) and is very unstable, ozone is sometimes called "activated oxygen". O₃exists for only a very short time. As soon as that extra molecule of oxygen encounters another compound, it attaches itself to the compound and oxidizes it. All that’s left behind is oxygen (O₂).

Here is an example of how ozone (O₂₎ oxidizes ammonia (NH₃):

O₃ + NH₃ = O₂+O+N+H₂+H

In other words = H₂O + H + N + O₂

The result is harmless water (H₂O), Oxygen (O₂), Hydrogen and Nitrogen.

Ozone is one of the most powerful sterilants in the world and exists to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors. Ozone kills by rupturing the cell wall of the offending organism.

Ozone naturally purifies air and water, acting 3000 times faster than chlorine. It is the strongest bactericide commercially available for air & water treatment.

Ozone naturally occurs on sunny days and is the source of the blue haze in the Smokies. The "ozone layer" protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays. It commonly occurs during thunderstorms as a result of lightning strikes. That fresh, clean smell that we notice after a storm results from lightning activating O₂ into O₃. Ozone is also created by rapids and waterfalls.

As Dr. James Marsden of Kansas State University says, “If natural ozone ceased to exist, life on this planet would also cease to exist. Ozone is nature's way of purifying the air we breathe.”

Outside of the United States, ozone’s benefits are widely accepted. In the US, however, "ground-level ozone" is considered a pollutant. In reality however, "ground-level ozone" is merely nature’s attempt to use ozone to oxidize air pollution.

What about ozone in air purifiers?

Some air purifiers include low levels of ozone in their technology. This is very effective. We offer low– and no-ozone purifiers depending on your personal preference. (The low-ozone version is adjustable.) Both are registered with the EPA.

The EPA has limited ozone output for air purifiers to 0.08 ppm, though outdoor ozone levels on a bright sunny day can be much higher. Our system produces 0.05 or less depending on the moisture available in the air.

At higher levels indoors you might experience a sore throat or burning eyes, but the odor would be so offensive you’d want to leave the area long before any possible damage might occur.