What's the Story on Ozone By Brenda Myers Re-printed without permission from Bird Talk magazine - December 1993 OZONE, or trivalent oxygen, is perhaps the most misunderstood element in the air we breathe. On one hand, we're told that it's a harmful, poisonous gas that can do great harm to our lungs. On the other, we're told that it has the potential to be the greatest natural purification element we have. The truth is, ozone is nature's purifier! It is the most natural element available for ridding a home or aviary of unwanted mold, mildew, bacteria and odors. The Creation of Ozone Ozone is created electrically during active thunderstorms. The electrical discharge creates that sweet smell that we recognize as clean air and that we recall as the fresh smell of laundry hung outside to dry. Ozone is also created by the action of nitrogen oxides and ultraviolet light from the sun. Anywhere in nature that hydrocarbons exist with strong sunlight and moisture, ozone will occur in some quantity. Areas that are considered the most healthy vacation spots in the country also have some of the highest levels of naturally occurring ozone. How it Works Ozone, the strongest oxidizing agent occurring naturally in our clean outdoor environment, has the capacity to break down most of the organic chemicals that foul our outdoor environment. Ozone (O3) contains one more atom than pure oxygen (O2) This third atom is unstable, which means that the element readily decomposes or changes into another compound. In this case, the third atom detaches itself from the molecule and attaches itself to odors, bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus--allergens that can cause respiratory infections in birds and humans. Purification occurs when the third, unstable atom attaches itself to a pollutant, causing permanent oxidation the breakdown of polluted molecules such as hydrocarbons, into harmless compounds such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. Oxidized organic matter has a variety of uses, such as bactericide and algaecide. Low-level ozone is an excellent method of eliminating unpleasant odors in the air, destroying pollen and dust particles and even killing bacteria that may be floating in the air. The remaining atoms form pure oxygen. Because of this reactivity, ozone must be replenished continually. If no pollutant is present, oxidation takes place within the ozone molecule itself--the third atom makes the molecule unstable, causing the ozone to revert to pure oxygen within a period of 20 to 50 minutes. Indoor Pollution Indoor air quality is a growing concern for many, especially for bird owners. Untreated or even recirculated or filtered air may have many side effects for birds and humans. A bird's respiratory system is 70 times more susceptible to airborne pollutants and infectious microorganisms than your own. Dangers from microorganisms are only the beginning. Chemical fumes that wouldn't bother you can wreak havoc on a bird's respiratory system. Smoke, especially cigarette smoke, can damage a bird's air sacs. Fumes from cleaners, kerosene heaters and aerosol cans are equally dangerous. Fumes from nonstick cookware (or ironing board covers, curling irons or drip pans) can kill a bird in minutes. The air your birds share with you and your family is a highly efficient catalyst for transmitting zoonotic diseases to people and other animals. People can develop chlamydiosis ("parrot fever") with-out ever touching a bird by simply inhaling dust from nasal discharges or feces During molting, the average bird replaces 2,000 feathers, which sends a tremendous amount of dust into the air. Dust from feathers and dried feces not only creates a cleaning problem, but It also harbors and feeds disease-causing organisms that can attack people and birds. More people are allergic to birds than to any other animal, including cats! Dust and dander from birds are linked to many respiratory infections, including bird fancier lung. It is interesting to note that most of the pollutants are organic in nature and that the chemicals we consider to be problems exist all around us in nature, where they are not considered problems, To become a problem, the dosage must be such that adverse effects result. Dosage is, f course, a function of both concentration and time of exposure. Even small amounts of pollutants will cause adverse effects if the duration of exposure is long enough. These adverse effects occur so gradually that they are not associated with their true cause. How Ozone Effects Us In a series of studies published in the journal Priroda (1976), the Russian department of health established many important facts concerning the use of ozone in closed indoor environments. Researchers found that air loses its basic "freshness" merely by being drawn into air conditioning and heating systems, with as much as a 90-percent reduction in ozone and ion levels. They established that the loss of these elements could cause building occupants to complain of headaches, weakness and a generally unwell feeling. As part of the study, researchers leaned that after five months of testing that a feeling of well being returned to those exposed to an ozone level of .015 ppb. At these same levels they were able to observe increased immune potential, higher oxygen content in the blood, improved blood pressure readings and the reduction of many stress characteristics associated with modern indoor environments. The overall effect was similar to that of taking a two-hour walk out-doors during the day. After additional studies done by the Institute of Child and Adolescent Hygiene, researchers concluded that injection of ozone into the air in schools had positive effects on students. In these tests, 69 percent of the students exposed to a level of .015 ppb ozone decreased the amount of time required to complete tasks that required high levels of concentration. In addition, researchers observed favorable changes in the functions of external respiration, increases in mental reserve capacity and overall increases in the children's general state of health. Using Ozone In general, the use of ozone to reactivate the air results in the same effect as being outdoors in an unpolluted part of the world. With all these obvious benefits, it would seem that everyone should use this type of air purification. It is because sweeping generalizations have perpetuated the myths about ozone's dangers that wide acceptance of ozone and its benefits have been ignored. It is important to keep your home free of hazardous pollutants. Small amounts of user-controlled ozone, preferably combined with ions, are very effective at purifying and revitalizing indoor air. A variety of air purifiers for this type of situation are available. Once you decide on a system, have your clean air consultant explain his or her purifier to you and walk you through the startup procedure. One last note: Filtration is not purification. Recirculating indoor air is much less effective than purifying it. Air filters don't destroy mold, mildew or bacteria, and they may be noisy or distracting. They can also be quite costly. Ozone generators and air filters, however, require no filter changes, run quietly and are virtually maintenance free. Considering the safety, the level of effectiveness, the filter cost and the makeup of our current indoor environment, it would seem that the closest alternative to opening the window is to restore the vitality of the air by replacing the ozone that occurs naturally outdoors each day. Ozone values and concentrations in parts per million (ppm) 0 indoors with windows closed 0 - .001 indoors with windows open .001 - .025 fresh country air .025 - .05 FDA regulation .1 - .15 thunderstorm .15 - .2 prolonged exposure of humans produces no apparent ill effects. .5 first stage smog alert* 1 second stage smog alert * Smog manufactures a polluted ozone through a photosynthetic process with the sun.