There has been a great deal of recent interest in the use of ozone to eliminate pathogens, and specifically viruses. Here is some brief info on the use of ozone to eliminate pathogens.
Ozone can be used to eliminate pathogens including viruses and bacteria. In fact, there are no known viruses or bacteria that are immune to the oxidation of ozone. The best method to harness the power of ozone is to dissolve ozone in water and use aqueous ozone. However, ozone in the gas form can also be used to eliminate pathogens.
Aqueous ozone activity against viruses
Several published studies have shown aqueous ozone to reduce infectivity of common viruses by more than 99.999% [Reference below]. Aqueous ozone inactivates microbes, including both viruses and bacteria, by oxidation of the cell surface and internal structures. This disrupts the microbe’s structure and pathogenicity. Enveloped viruses such as Coronaviruses are particularly susceptible.
Reference:
Khadre, M.A.; Yousef, A.E; Kim, J-G. “Microbiological Aspects of Ozone Applications in Food: A Review.” Journal of Food Science Volume 66 Issue 9 (p.1242-1252). 2001.
Ozone Effect on Pathogens
As a biocide, ozone works similarly to chlorine (another oxidant) and is used in a similar manner. Ozone disinfects by directly oxidizing and destroying the microorganism’s cell wall, causing cellular components to leak outside the cell. This causes protoplasmic destruction of the cell, damaging constituents of the nucleic acids, and breaks the carbon–nitrogen bonds, which leads to depolymerization. During the process, ozone splits into oxygen and an ozone atom, which is lost during the reaction with the microorganism’s cell fluids, O3 -> O2 + (O).
Link below provides list of pathogens ozone has been tested with: https://www.oxidationtech.com/ozone/pathogens.html
Below are links to papers published by the International Ozone Association on the use of ozone to eliminate viruses:
Development of a Practical Method for Using Ozone Gas as a Virus Decontaminating Agent:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01919510902747969
In Vitro Inactivation of Herpes Virus by Ozone:h
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01919512.2013.862165
Ozone Therapy in Patients with Viral Hepatitis C: Ten Years’ Experience:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01919512.2012.720161
Factors Increasing the Ozone Inactivation of Enteric Viruses in Effluent:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01919512.2013.874275
Effects of Different Treatments on the Inactivation of Various Seedborne Viruses in Some Vegetables:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01919512.2013.874275
Wastewater Disinfection : Elimination of Fecal Bacteria and Eneric Viruses By Ozone:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01919518208550945
Degradation of RNA Constitutents and Tobacco Mosaic Virus RNA with Ozone:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01919518108550906
Use of MS2 Coliphage as a Surrogate for Enteric Viruses in Surface Waters Disinfected with Ozone:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01919519308552490
We supply a wide variety of ozone water systems that can supply aqueous ozone to be used for pathogen elimination. Click image below to view full list of ozone water systems we offer.
We also offer the compact SB100 ozone spray bottle. Info on this device to follow.