OZONE Effective & Safe When Rules Followed

Background:

Ozone is an extremely effective oxidative disinfectant and has been used in the medical, pharmaceutical, food processing, and water treatment industries for decades.

The reason ozone is used is simple. It can be cheaply and efficiently created on-site, and the disarming effect of ozone on microorganisms is well understood and has been proven as an effective tool for mitigating many different unwanted compounds and microorganisms.

Why does the EPA warn against ozone generators on the market?

Although ozone is an effective tool, it is only effective when used SAFELY.
As an example, bleach is a very effective tool when used for its intended purpose. Bleach is ineffective as a hand soap because it is not designed for human consumption or skin contact.

Companies that produce general-purpose bleach have very clear instructions and recommended safety equipment that should be used when using bleach for the safety of the user.

When using ozone, the same precautions need to be taken, but they are often not clearly stated by the manufacturer of the ozone generator and there are no controls in place on cheaper machines that ensure users are operating the generator effectively or even safely. Therefore, the EPA warns against using these commonly available cheap ozone generators in residential areas.

The Purfresh Difference – Safety First

Ozone is a great tool that can be used to protect people from unwanted and potentially dangerous substances that can be found in residential and commercial spaces. To keep people healthy and safe from these particles and microorganisms, ozone must be used when the space is completely unoccupied, and the ozone must be sensor-level controlled (most cheap ozone generators do not offer sensor-level control). These are the most important safety measures that must be taken in order to use ozone appropriately and effectively.

Purfresh Clean Systems utilize fully automated, remotely controlled devices that have built-in safety features that ensure the space is unoccupied and safe to reenter when the space has been cleaned. These include:

  • Safety placards posted on all entrances and exits to the space being treated.
  • Ozone sensors – Both for controlling the ozone level and for making sure the space is clear of any ozone when the space needs to be accessed again.
  • Warning and control lights
  • Remote control capabilities – This important feature allows operators to turn on and off the equipment from outside the space that is to be cleaned. This isn’t offered by cheap ozone equipment suppliers.
  • Activated Carbon and HEPA filters – These turn on after the ozone treatment to reduce possible excess VOCs, formaldehyde, and small particles and reduce the ozone degradation time.

Ozone and Smog – Incorrect Interpretations

Ozone and smog pollution are often considered together when the topic of ozone use is discussed. These are separate issues, and the industrial production of ozone is NOT a component of smog. Dangerous levels of particulate material, CO2, and other smog-pollution components cause harm to humans. Extremely low levels of atmospheric ozone measured when smog is present are not dangerous to humans.

When ozone is produced naturally without the presence of other harmful contaminants like VOCs and NO2, the ozone breaks back down naturally into oxygen. This is a normal result of the instability of ozone and the short half-life inherent in the ozone molecule.

The important consideration is that ozone is not the cause of the low air quality, but the result. Excess NO2 and VOCs in the air from pollution cause this unhealthy ozone cycle to begin. Therefore, the EPA has instituted ground-level ozone standards. These standards are important, as lowering pollution in our air will improve the unhealthy ozone cycle and improve overall air quality for all people.

Purfresh SPACE equipment is proven to follow and adhere to all ozone application use rules and guidelines issued by the FDA, USDA, EPA, OSHA, and CARB.

Purfresh Clean ozone sanitizing technology now in use at Texas A&M at Galveston

Purfresh Clean CEO Christian DeBlasio has donated $75,000 of air treatment units and services to his alma mater, Texas A&M University at Galveston in Galveston, Texas, to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. His concern for the welfare of the students and faculty inspired him to make the donation and do everything possible to keep them healthy while they are in school.

The machines apply Oxygen-3 (O3) molecules to sanitize sealed, unoccupied indoor spaces. O3 is a reactive gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. In low concentrations (at the parts per billion level), ozone is scientifically proven to destroy viruses as well as bacteria and odors by bonding with and breaking down their molecular structure. Ozone then degrades back to oxygen, leaving behind no residue. Because molecules are broken down rather than simply covered up, the room is truly clean after the unit’s cycle is complete. The machines’ output is dry air, so they will not damage any room furnishings. They are used overnight so they have enough time to ensure complete safety by the time people enter the rooms. Each unit can clean and sanitize a 2500 square foot room with 12-foot ceilings in 4-5 hours.

Because O3 is a gas, it has the advantage of being able to permeate the entire space, including air and any aerosol viruses, leaving no corner untouched. In a 2009 University of British Columbia study, ozone was proven to inactivate over 99% of enveloped viruses such as SARS CoV-2 (the virus that causes the coronavirus disease, COVID-19). O3 is approved by the FDA and USDA to disinfect food and water as well, and a 2020 Georgia Institute of Technology study, found that it may have additional applications to clean reusable PPE during shortages.

In 2020, Purfresh Clean’s units were used in U.S. Army National Guard training exercises. Four units are now being used in the Dining Hall on the Galveston Campus due to the high density in this location. The units are used nightly to aid in ensuring that students, faculty, and staff enter a clean environment each morning.

ABOUT PURFRESH CLEAN

Launched in May 2020, Purfresh Clean has developed patented O3 technology solutions to help businesses, schools, and governments safely, quickly, and comprehensively eliminate 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 from their indoor spaces and continue operations. In late 2020, United States Army National Guard training facilities started using Purfresh Clean to disinfect shared equipment and communal interior spaces. Purfresh Clean units are available globally and are FDA, EPA, and OSHA compliant. The company’s mission is to protect people and purify environments from viruses, bacteria, mold, and odors. Purfresh Clean is headquartered and manufactured in the U.S.

Learn more about Purfresh’s patented O3 technology.

Purfresh Clean equipment deployed for virus spread risk mitigation at U.S. Army National Guard training exercises

 PRLog — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ravenswood Solutions recently deployed Purfresh CLEAN systems and equipment for virus spread risk mitigation at the U.S. Army National Guard’s (ARNG) eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) training exercises. Ravenswood has supported XCTC exercises for 14 years but faced a unique challenge in 2020 as the pandemic surged.

“Purfresh decontamination technology with ozone helps to create the cleanest environment possible for all personnel involved in the XCTC program,” said Christian DeBlasio, CEO of Purfresh.

When applied to unoccupied interior spaces before and after group meetings or in containment units for shared personnel equipment, Purfresh CLEAN ozone systems remove viruses, bacteria, and odors from both air and surfaces. Ozone, also called O3, is made of pure oxygen, leaves zero residue, and is only applied to unoccupied spaces or special containment units.

“During our XCTC training rotations, Ravenswood’s top priority is supporting the safety of our troops,” said Dan Donoghue, President and CEO of Ravenswood Solutions. “This year, we found a great partner in Purfresh to help us achieve that goal in this unprecedented situation.”

By the end of the 2020 training year, Ravenswood will have safely trained more than 2,300 troops.

For more information on how Purfresh’s ozone system and current research on the technology, go to: Purfresh Clean.

View complete press release here.