We tried it - Cheap home ozone generator, not just against viruses
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Ozone disinfection is not magic, and an ozone generator doesn’t cost much to use at home
Introductory
Although the disinfectant effect of ozone has long been known, it has only really been in the public consciousness since the outbreak of the new crown virus. It was in the spring who built a business for this, but many people don’t know that an ozone generator is not expensive, it is unnecessary to turn to a “specialist” for this reason.
We have also tried such a device, we will show it now.
What is ozone and what does it disinfect?
Let’s start with the scientific part of the topic first. The ozone molecule was discovered by Christian Friedricht Schönbein in 1840. As Wikipedia says, its name is derived from the Greek word ozein, which means it smells bad.
Ozone is an unstable molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms, which owes its disinfecting effect to this instability, to a very strong oxidative effect. Exposure to highly reactive nascent oxygen from decomposing ozone is deadly for all microorganisms, including all spores, fungi (including mold), bacteria, and viruses.
It is very important that against chemical treatments, microorganisms cannot develop protection against the effects of ozone, so it remains a process that can be used in the long run.
We have met ozone in many places, and we have met so far. Ozone is formed when UV-C light virus writers are used in copiers, but most battery-operated refrigerator deodorizers also produce ozone.
It is important to note that there is no difference between ozone and ozone, no matter how it is produced. The only difference is the amount of ozone produced for different equipment. So we can buy any equipment that produces ozone, depending on the quantity, it will be just as efficient as what is sold as an expensive ozone disinfection service.
How to create ozone?
As I mentioned above, UV-C light sterilizing lamps also generate ozone, albeit in small amounts. Because of this, and because the equipment in this article does not work on this principle, we will not address this now.
The ozone production method of ozone generators is essentially the same as that of ozone generated during lightning, only of course in small quantities. Inside the device, there are ozone sheets that create tiny discharges that break down the oxygen molecule.
This, of course, has a negative implication: the sheets “wear out” as the number of hours of use progresses, so you have to calculate a natural wear and tear.
It is extremely important that these devices are not recommended for use in high humidity, if you do have to (for example in a moldy environment), only operate the machine for as long as is absolutely necessary. In addition, it is not recommended to work in an environment above 40 degrees and in a very dusty place. As already mentioned, the ozone sheet “wears out” anyway due to the discharges, but in a humid, dusty environment it is much more intense, so it can reach the end of its life sooner.
Is ozone dangerous to us?
If I had to answer in one word, that would be a resounding yes. Of course it is better to tint the picture!
Ozone is a toxic gas that does not adversely affect us in small amounts in concentrations below 0,01 ppm for up to 10 hours of contact. The trouble is that this concentration will not be enough to disinfect with it, it requires a concentration of 0,5-2,5 ppm.
Let’s say we’re downright lucky that ozone isn’t odorless, so we can quickly sense its presence. Most people can already detect concentrations above 0,01 ppm by odor. In the case of larger quantities, we can smell a very pungent, unpleasant odor, although there is a lower concentration of those who may smell carnations or hay.
What is the solution? Of course the ventilation! After ozone disinfection, it is mandatory to well ventilate the room or car in which the ozone generator was used. No other precautions are really needed, the point is not to inhale in high concentrations.
Of course, this is also true for our pets, and even for our houseplants. like us.
Important: When the air purifier is running, leave the room for the set operating time and then wait another half to 1 hour after it expires. During this time, ozone depletes. It is recommended to ventilate the room well even after this time!
People with respiratory disease should not come into direct contact with ozone, and pay special attention to pregnant women and children.
What else is ozone good for?
Of course, in addition to virus writing, because of it as we know it is good!
The disinfecting effect of ozone is roughly three thousand times that of chlorine. It can be used for large-scale water purification, for example, and at home we mostly use the disinfecting and deodorizing effect.
Thanks to the small, battery-powered ozone generator placed in the refrigerator, we can store meat and vegetables for a longer period of time, they will be harder to spoil and mold, and our refrigerator will smell good.
We can use its deodorizing effect in cigarette smoke rooms, for example, but we can also deodorize our clothes and, of course, our entire apartment. Ozone, being gaseous at normal temperatures, enters every small gap, every hidden corner, so nothing can escape its effects.
These properties show that the use of ozone-generating generators can be useful not only now, because of the virus, but also later, as using it we can eliminate unpleasant odors and make the air in the apartment fresh.
How long does the effect of ozone last?
The good news, rather than the bad news, is that ozone disinfecting, antiviral, or, for us, its health-destroying effects only lasts until the room is ventilated after treatment. That is, it’s not like the ant writer we scatter, and then he writes the ants for weeks.
As I wrote, it’s really lucky because if it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t be able to use it at all.
So the point is that the disinfection is temporary, essentially sterilizing the apartment or car at that point in time. Nevertheless, precisely because ozone disinfects everywhere due to its gaseous state, it is worth using it at intervals.
Let's see the ozone generator!
The structure comes in a simple cardboard box with some jack foil inside to prevent damage during transport. There is no long treatment description, but it is not necessary, anyone can pull up an hour, and if we follow the instructions in the first half of the article, we can not cause any trouble.
As I mentioned above, the effectiveness of ozone disinfection depends mostly on how much ozone the equipment used can produce. In our case, the machine tested for the article has a capacity of 24 grams per hour.
According to the literature, equipment with a capacity of 21-28 grams per hour is already sufficient to disinfect even complete homes, 24 grams per hour is roughly recommended, up to 50-55 square meters. That is, in this case, the equipment will be enough to disinfect smaller apartments, a room or our car.
The use of the device does not require any technical affinity or professionalism. Actually, it’s all very simple, but it can also be seen in the attached pictures. It consists of only a mechanical clock and ozone-producing sheets (and their components).
If you want to use it, all you have to do is pull up the clock, select the length of the treatment duration, then leave the room or car and close the door.
It is powered from an electrical outlet, so if we want to use it in our car we will need an extension cord.
If you have already used a car. Ozone disinfection is especially suitable for cleaning the ventilation equipment and air conditioning of cars. It is appropriate to do this from time to time anyway, because all kinds of fungi can settle in the condensed steam.
The point in this case is to switch the air circulation to the internal position while using the machine, and then to circulate the air inside during the treatment with the engine running (so as not to drain the battery). It is worth repeating this now, during the viral period, either daily or weekly, depending on how the vehicle is used, but if you do not have Covid, it is still recommended to do it every six months.
Ozone disinfection lasts for a maximum of one hour at a time, which is the maximum time from which the pulled-up clock can count down. An hour is not a short time, so we can use this if we want to make our apartment odor-free and virus-free.
In the case of cars, it is advisable to set the duration of the treatment to a maximum of 20-25 minutes, no longer time will be required.
And that is all.
I know a test could have been more thorough, but we have no way of measuring under laboratory conditions whether there is indeed 24 grams of ozone production per hour. Sure, when used in a car, after 20-25 minutes, the bouquet is already uncomfortable, so don’t want to sit in and go with it right away because ozone is noticeably present in the passenger compartment.
So, judging mostly by odor, the generator does its job and produces ozone as promised by the manufacturer.
Observe ventilation regulations after use, this is perhaps the only but more important warning.
How much does this cost us?
The structure we tested can be ordered from a Czech warehouse, the delivery time was 6 working days from the order, the dealer promises 2-5 working days, so this can be roughly expected.
As I wrote at the beginning of the article, the ozone generator is not an expensive pastime, without any discounts, including shipping and package insurance, it only costs HUF 18. The price may change slightly as the exchange rate changes.
If you think eating is worth the money, you can order here:
