When people hear the word ozone, they often associate it with pollution warnings or the Earth's protective ozone layer. However, ozone is also a powerful and safe tool for air purification and odour control.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has established recommended limits for safe ozone exposure for a very good reason. These levels confirm totally safe exposure, and it is these levels that we use here at Ozofresh to ensure all our products are safe and compliant.
Ozone (O₃) is naturally present in our environment. It forms when oxygen molecules (O₂) interact with electrical discharges, such as lightning. This means that, even without human intervention, small amounts of ozone exist in the air around us. In short, it is a natural gas that you have probably noticed after a thunderstorm or at high altitudes.
Like many naturally occurring gases, including oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), ozone is completely safe when kept within recommended limits. Recommended safe limits are the key to all exposure because even essential gases can become dangerous in excessive quantities.
The Toxic Effects of Common Gases - Oxygen (O₂) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Both oxygen and carbon dioxide are critical for life, but they can be harmful at high concentrations:
These examples illustrate how even life-sustaining gases must remain within safe levels—just like ozone, which is only problematic in high concentrations but completely safe within HSE guidelines.
Another interesting question is how, while the relative levels and toxicity of ozone is frequently misreported and therefore misunderstood in relation to health issues, we tend to take chemical air products for granted. However, there have been several studies suggesting that exposure to chemicals in air fresheners can seemingly lead to health issues for some individuals.
For example, research found on the US government site National Library of Medicine (accessible here Preventive Medicine Reports) indicates that approximately 33% of Australians experience health problems, such as migraine headaches and asthma attacks, when exposed to fragranced products like air fresheners. The report then goes on to raise some serious questions about the use of chemical fragrances.
Additionally, 7.7% of Australians have lost workdays or a job due to illness from fragranced product exposure in the workplace, 16.4% reported health problems when exposed to air fresheners or deodorizers, 15.3% from being in a room after it was cleaned with scented products, and 16.7% would enter but then leave a business as quickly as possible due to fragranced products. About twice as many respondents would prefer that workplaces, health care facilities and professionals, hotels, and airplanes were fragrance-free rather than fragranced. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
These findings underscore the possible and perhaps potential health risks associated with certain chemicals in air fresheners, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions or chemical sensitivities.
We are not suggesting that you compare like for like here, because the fact is that chemical air freshers work differently. They add a miasma of chemicals to the air to mask odours, where Ozofresh products remove contaminations including chemicals and odours. Neither are we saying that those chemical additives are in any way infringing any laws or regulations. Just that many people in the Care and Hospitality sectors are not, in our experience at least, aware of these reports.
The core difference is that, unlike chemical air fresheners, ozone doesn’t cover up smells. Its unique properties eliminate them at the molecular level.
Here’s how it works:
Beyond odours, ozone is also highly effective at destroying airborne pathogens, including:
Ozone works by breaking down the outer walls of these pathogens, effectively rendering them inactive. This makes ozone a valuable tool for air and surface sanitation, particularly in environments with vulnerable residents or where guests could be affected.
At Ozofresh, we prioritise safety, compliance, and effectiveness. All of our ozone generators are designed and manufactured to meet strict UK regulations, ensuring they operate safely within HSE-recommended limits.
Our products are equipped with advanced controls and timers to regulate ozone output, making them safe for use in homes, offices, hotels, and healthcare settings. Unlike unregulated ozone devices, Ozofresh ensures all products meet UK safety standards for worry-free operation.
Almost every natural gas, cleaning device or chemical process, as we have seen above, can be dangerous if misused. Some of our range (Plugins and the Aura) are regulated for everyday use and produce much safer levels than required by the HSE. The science behind the design means they cannot produce enough ozone to be harmful unless you misuse them. In the case of the PlugIn for example, used in a standard room it produces less than half of the ozone given off by some laser printers, which are themselves at half the safe HSE levels. That is a long way inside safety levels.
When it comes to our larger machines, such as the Eclipse Pro, they do produce higher levels of ozone. That is why they come with strict and clear instructions on safe use. The most important of these being that they are not to be used where people or animals are present. It is these larger machines (and specifically the less reliable versions made by some manufacturers) that are often the source of concerns. That is why our Eclipse Pro range comes with an auto-destruct sequence. By the time it has done its work, and people return to the room, the ozone is back at a safe level.
With Ozofresh’s UK-manufactured and regulated ozone technology, you can enjoy cleaner, fresher air with complete peace of mind.
For more information on how Ozofresh can improve your indoor air quality contact us and let’s talk.
