What is Ozone?

Ozone is active oxygen, O3. It occurs naturally in the earth's atmosphere to protect us from the sun's harmful rays.
Ozone, a triatomic allotrope of oxygen (a form of oxygen in which the molecule contains three atoms instead of two) has a formula O3 and it is always present in trace quantities in the Earth's atmosphere.

Ozone is produced when oxygen molecules (O2) are split into two oxygen atoms (O1) while in the presence of other oxygen molecules. These oxygen atoms (O1) then combine with molecular oxygen (O2) to yield ozone, O3.

Ozone is generated naturally by short-wave solar ultraviolet radiation, and appears in our upper atmosphere (ozonosphere) in the form of gas. Ozone also may be produced naturally by passing an electrical discharge such as lightning through oxygen.
Ozone kills microorganisms with a process known as “cellular lysis”. In the oxidation process, ozone ruptures the cellular membrane of microorganisms and disperses the bacterial cytoplasm into solution, thus making reactivation impossible. This process takes place in about 2 seconds.
 
Ozone is a water purifier & sterilizer
 
•   Ozone disinfects water, eliminating color, taste, and odor
•   Ozone is 150 times more powerful than chlorine
•   Ozone is 3500 times faster acting than chlorine
•   Ozone leaves no toxic or carcinogenic by-products
When ozone is used to treat our drinking water, it is effective in eliminating color, taste, and odor. Chlorine, used in many facilities as a disinfectant, has recently been found in scientific studies to have a tendency to create carcinogens as it breaks down. For this reason there is increased pressure to reduce or eliminate chlorine as a primary disinfectant to water. Many cities, including Los Angeles, are now using ozone to disinfect their water supplies. Ozone is 150 times more powerful than chlorine and 3500 times faster acting. It eliminates harmful metals as well, by causing these metals to clump together which allows them to be large enough to filter out. Because of ozone’s short life, it quickly converts to pure oxygen and thus adds much needed oxygen to the water. Since ozone water purification systems require no chemicals, they are healthier and very cost-effective in long-term applications.
Ozone water-purifiers range from sink top to whole house size. There are also units that can be used to purify swimming pools and hot tusb, as well as small portable ones for your bathtub. Chlorine is an irritant to skin and eyes, causing the skin and hair to dry out. Ozone can be used instead to keep pools and spas fresh and clean. Ozone is generally produced by passing oxygen across either an ultraviolet light source or an electrical arc, converting some of the oxygen to ozone. This is then pumped into the pool, spa, or hot tub water. Since oxygen can be absorbed through the skin, bathing in highly oxygenated water can be extremely healthful.
 
 
Ozone is a medical appliance
 
•   Ozone is safe, reliable, efficient and effective in sterilization.
•   Ozone has excellect effect of deodorization, gout and stain elimination.
•   Ozone can dispel inorganic and organic pollutants, as well as toxicant.
 Ozone is a safe gas that treats the environment friendly. And its only toxicity is from its high oxidation potential. When the ozone concentration reaches 1.55ppm or up, people should not be allowed to stay around, because ozone is injurious to the breathing system of human body when it’s serious.
The Sterilization function of ozone belongs to a biochemistry oxidization reaction. Because of its high oxidation potential, ozone oxidizes cell components of the bacterial cell wall. This is a consequence of cell wall penetration. Once ozone has entered the cell, it oxidizes all essential components (enzymes, proteins, DNA, RNA). When the cell membrane is damaged during this process, the cell will fall apart. This is called lysis, see figure 1 below.
The above-mentioned mechanism differs from that of halogens (such as chlorine), which are usually applied. Chlorine is known to penetrate cells by diffusion. Within the cell, chlorine affects several enzyme types.
 
Figure 1: Bacterial lysis by ozone in 6 steps (see below)
 
Ozone Sterilization steps:
1 – Computer animation of a bacterial cell                  
2 – Close-up of an ozone molecule on the bacterial cell wall
3 – Ozone penetrates the cell wall and causes corrosion
4 – Close-up of the effect of ozone on the cell wall
5 – Bacterial cell after it has come in contact with a number of ozone molecules
6 – Cell destruction (lysis)
 
How long has ozone been used to purify water?

Since the late 1800's.
 
What are some uses of ozone?
 
Some common uses are: pool and spa water purification, drinking water purification, waste water purification, and air freshening, bedding sterilization, hospital sterilization.
 
 What is the purpose of adding Ozone to water?
 
Ozone is added to water to kill diseases, bacteria, and viruses. It will also help break apart chlorine.
Ninety percent of the world’s drinking water, including most bottled and municipal water, is treated with ozone to kill germs and bacteria.
Ozone acts 3000 times faster than chlorine and is the strongest oxidant commercially available for air & water treatment.
There is simply no better way to truly purify water and food than with ozone.
99% percent of all bacteria in drinking water can be killed with ozone water treatments.
Water filters don't have the ability to actually kill any bacteria in water. Even if you filter water, it is not safe of deadly bacteria.
"Chlorination, used in most every municipal system, kills or inactivates viruses as well as bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. It does not kill anthrax spores. Some plants also treat water with ozone, which is more effective in killing protozoans like cripto.” Newswek
 
If My City Already Ozonates the Water why Do I Need My Own Ozone Purifier?
By the time city water reaches your home new bacteria's have already been introduced. Older pipes and the lengthy distance water travels to get to your home from the processing plant can contribute to your drinking water having increased pathogens. Municipal water supplies also contain a large amount of chlorine which is undesirable in drinking water.
With the Aqua ozone generator CYS300C you'll have peace of mind knowing your water has been purified right in your own home where it will be consumed.
 
Which is better, adding ozone, reverse osmosis, filtering or distilation of water?
 
All these methods perform different functions in water. No matter what method you choose it is still a great idea to ozonate water as the last stage to ensure water is free from bacteria and viruses.
The FDA has approved the use of water to help cleanse food, and all bottled water in the United States is ozonated.
 
Bottled Water Ozonated
 
The FDA has also asked all bottled water company's to ozanate their water in order to prevent disease.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1991, confirmed that ozone was effective in ridding water of hazardous pathogens, including chlorine resistant Cryptosporidium.”  Agricultural Outlook, June/July, 1998.
Why buy expensive bottled water when you can purify water yourself for a fraction of the cost?
 
Why Aren't Water Filters Enough?
 
Water filters don't have the ability to actually kill bacteria in water. Even if you filter water, it is not safe of deadly bacteria.
 
Does Ozone filter water?
 
No, ozone does not replace a water filter. In fact an in line water filter should be placed before water ozonators to keep particulate matter out of the ozone machine, and out of your water.
 
Will Ozone soften water?
 
No, ozone does not soften water or remove rust or calcium. Water should be softened, and filtered before it reaches the water ozonators.
 
Will Ozone remove Fluoride from water?
 
No, there are special water filters designed to remove Fluoride from water.  One can be used before water ozonators that will filter out Fluoride and particulate matter.
 
Will Ozone remove chemicals from water?
 
Ozone will make some chemicals inert in water as it does chloirine. However if there are strong chemical contaminants in the water ozone should not be counted on to remove them.It all depends upon the level of contamination in the water as to how effective ozone will be in making chemicals inert. If you think there are chemicals in your water you should have it tested for.
 
Does ozone add anything to the water?
 
Ozone is 100% Oxygen. That is all it is adding to the water.
 
If ozone doesn't filter or soften water why should I use it?
 
Ozone will kill bacteria and viruses and gives you an extra level of protection. 
Ozone should be the final stage in water treatment to ensure your water is bacteria free.
 
What Pathogens Does Ozone Kill in Water?
 
Ozone kills pathogens 3000 times faster than chlorine.
 
It is also safer since chlorine can react with blood cholesterol causing it to coagulate on the walls of arteries forming plaque.
Ozanating water kills 99.9% of all bacteria.
Along with the germ killing properties of ozone, the simple act of bubbling ozone through water will help release the remaining chlorine left in the water.
 
Ozone Kills:
E coli Staphylococcus Areus
Fecal Streptococci Salmonella Choleraesuis
Staphylococcus Aureua Bacillus Subtillis
Aspergillus Niger Bacillus Antracis (Anthrax)
                               
Ozone Removes:
 
•Microorganisms
•Viruses
•Bacteria
•E. Coli 3, (125 times faster than chlorine.)
•Prevent THM formation (a problem with chlorine)
•Oxidation of inorganics
•Taste and odor control
•Microflocculation
•Oxidizing synthetic and volatile organic chemicals
•Streptococcus Fecalis
•Legionalla pneumophila (the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease)
•Virus
•Bacillus spores
•Clostridium spores
•Amoebae Cysts
•Free Amoebae
•Giardia
•Cryptosporidium
•Taste and Odor Control
•Algae
•Iron and manganese
•Sulfides
•Heavy metals (arsenic, copper, and lead)
•Cadmium
•Zinc
•Nitrite
•Over 700 individual organic compounds
•Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOCs)
•Synthetic Organic Contaminants (SOCs)
•Pesticides (phosolone, aldrin).
•Toxic Cyanide
 
Does ozonated water provide therapudic or medical benefits?
 
We are not legally allowed to make claims that there is a medical or therapudic value in using ozonated water.  There is infomation available from a variety of sources, including the Internet, that suggest drinking ozonated water, and bathing in ozonated water may be good for you.  
 
We encourage you to seek out this information on your own.