What is Ozone?
Ozone is a gas that is made up of 3 oxygen atoms (O3). Oxygen, the air that we breathe that is essential to life, has only 2 atoms- O2. This 3rd atom that makes up the ozone molecule is very different, powerful, and often dangerous because it has the ability to easily detach itself and reattach to other substances in the air changing its total chemical composition.
Is Ozone harmful?
There is “good” and “bad” ozone. Ozone located in the upper atmosphere commonly known as the ozone layer is not harmful. This is actually considered the “good” ozone. This is the layer in the stratosphere that protects all life on earth from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Read here to learn more about the 3 different types of UV rays.
Ozone located on ground level is harmful to you and is considered the “bad” ozone. Bad ozone occurs when pollutants produced by cars, and industrial plants, etc. have a chemical reaction in the sunlight. This kind of ozone in the air can be very harmful to our health.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.”
Who is most at risk?
- People with asthma or any respiratory conditions.
- Children because their lungs are still developing.
- Older adults who are active in the outdoor environment.
Health problems caused by ozone:
Depending on exposure level…
- Increased difficulty to breathe deeply and vigorously.
- Shortness of breath, and pain when taking a deep breath.
- Cough and sore or scratchy throat.
- Inflame and damage the airways.
- Exacerbate lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and COPD.
- Cause more frequent asthma attacks.
- Lungs are more vulnerable to infection.
Ozone and Disinfection
Ozone is used as a disinfection method in many ways and is commonly used in some CPAP cleaners for sanitizing CPAP equipment. But… how healthy is it if we are breathing this toxic air into our lungs, even if it is a small amount of ozone. As stated above by the EPA, “Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.”
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the FDA tested ozone based CPAP cleaners and this is what they concluded, “The testing demonstrated that devices using ozone disinfection generated ambient levels of ozone above limits considered safe for human exposure. Ozone levels were also high in CPAP machines and tubing even after waiting the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer after a cleaning cycle.”
Ozone is harmful to your lungs. CPAP cleaners that use ozone are harmful to your lungs. There are methods of disinfection that do not use ozone that are effective and safe. Read Sanitizing Using Ultraviolet Light on the blog to learn more about this process of sanitization.
The LiViliti Paptizer is a medical grade CPAP cleaner that uses UVC light technology to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria, germs and viruses. Not only limited for your CPAP equipment…you can use it on any item that will fit in the box. The LiViliti Sanitizer Bag and The LiViliti Sanitizer Wand also provide a safe and effective way to sanitize anything you can think of without worrying about your health!
LiViliti Health Products…safe, effective and healthy sanitization!