Introduction to Ozone
Ozone, or ozone O3, is a highly reactive elemental molecule with the formula O3, made up of three oxygen atoms. This pale blue, explosive gas carries a distinctively pungent smell—often described as a pungent odour—that’s surprisingly pleasant in its pure form at low concentrations. Ozone exists in two primary layers of Earth’s atmosphere. In the stratosphere, it forms the ozone layer, a protective shield created when solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation interacts with air, specifically molecular oxygen, to make ozone. At ground level, however, ozone becomes a potent respiratory hazard and pollutant, commonly known as ground-level ozone, affecting air quality.
How Ground-Level Ozone Forms
Ground-level ozone emerges from complex chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight. These precursors, released by power plants, vehicle emissions, and organic materials, drive ozone formation. On hot, sunny days in urban areas, when lower temperature conditions shift to heat, ozone levels peak—often in the afternoon and early evening—posing ozone’s harmful effects, as noted by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ozone in Industrial and Consumer Use
Ozone, including liquid ozone and ozonized air, serves as a powerful antimicrobial agent in industrial applications and consumer applications related to sanitation. It’s used in bottled water production, meat treatment, and preserving perishable foods. Commercially, ozone is generated by exposing oxygen in the air to high-voltage electrical discharges or UV light, a process that makes ozone effective for these purposes.
Health Risks of Ozone Exposure
Welders and others exposed to high ozone levels, tracked by ozone sensors and monitoring systems with rapid response time, face significant health risks. Inhaled ozone can damage mucous membranes and respiratory tissues, leading to short-term issues like eye irritation, throat and chest discomfort, metal fume fever, and reduced lung function. Long-term exposure amplifies detrimental effects, including asthma, pneumonia, cancer, and impacts on the central nervous system. Two sensors are often used to ensure accurate detection in high-risk settings, enhancing personal safety.
Ozone’s Impact on Human Health
Ozone pollution, a growing concern per the Environmental Protection Agency, severely affects mucous and respiratory tissues, degrading air quality. While the ozone layer protects against UV radiation, ground-level ozone—even at low concentrations—triggers ozone’s harmful effects, especially in urban areas with elevated NOx and VOC emissions. This duality underscores the need for robust monitoring systems to safeguard health and mitigate risks.
Gas Characteristics
- Colorless to bluish gas that condenses to a dark blue liquid, or blue-black crystals
- Has a pungent odor
- An oxidizing agent
- Very high redox potential
- Nonflammable gas
- O3 will quickly corrode most metals and will damage most plastics.
- Rubber exposed to ozone will quickly harden and crack.
- Manufactured for immediate use because of its instability and tendency to decompose quickly
- Pure ozone gas is slightly heavier than air
- OTHER NAMES: Triatomic oxygen, trioxygen
- CAS Registry 10028-15-6
FIRST AID
- The lungs will usually recover within a few days after exposure to elevated concentrations of ozone. However, if ozone exposure is experienced over a longer period of time or on a number of repeated occasions within a year, chronic damage to lung tissue may occur.
- O3 is highly toxic if inhaled or by contact of liquid to skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. It can cause acute to chronic lung damage, burns, permanent injury, or death.
- Ozone can be toxic at a concentration of 100 ppm for 1 minute. It's capable of causing death from pulmonary edema.
- Evaluation of ozone toxicity is similar to the evaluation of any pulmonary irritant. Oxygen saturation monitoring should be implemented and also bedside spirometry.
- No specific treatment is available for individuals exposed to ozone, though some have suggested that oral intake of Vitamin E is beneficial to the chronic ambient exposure most experience.
IF ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED
- Take action only if you've been trained. Evacuate the surrounding area. Turn off all possible sources of ignition. Don't inhale gas and ensure the area is well ventilated. Wear a respirator if ventilation isn't adequate. Workers should be wearing personal protective equipment.
- In case of a spill: Immediately contact emergency personnel. Stop leak if there isn't a risk to yourself. Use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment.