OZONE THIS “SAVING” GAS

Since February we have been asked, now less so, if ozone solves all the sanitization and disinfection problems against COVID - 19.

Since then we have always urged caution and not to "fall" into the trap of the solution to all ills often improperly promoted.

On the contrary, it has always been said that the substances approved by the ISS are only a few and the benefits of ozonation have yet to be demonstrated to combat COVID - 19, while it has been approved for specific treatments (ref. previous editorials).

INAIL, together with the ISS, has published an extremely interesting report WHICH DESERVES careful reading.

Below is a very short extract on which to reflect, referring to the entire document attached.

We wish everyone a good read, with the invitation to delve deeper into the topic before making choices, also consulting the Competent Doctor.

“Since this is a dangerous substance used in a workplace, it is necessary to apply the provisions of Legislative Decree 81/2008, Title IX – Dangerous substances, Chapter I – Protection from chemical agents, carrying out the risk assessment and adopting general and specific safety measures. protection and prevention, providing provisions in the event of accidents or emergencies, and providing correct information and
worker training.
In particular, for the purposes of reducing chemical risk it is always recommended to evaluate the possibility of resorting to non-hazardous or less dangerous substances and/or processes (principle of substitution) (DL.vo 81/2008, Art. 15, co.1 , letter f). Procedure for sanitizing workplaces.
Sanitization means the complex of cleaning and/or disinfection procedures and operations and maintenance of good air quality.

Ozone generators are currently promoted as devices that can be used to sanitize work environments. Manufacturers and retailers of ozone generators often present ozone as a natural disinfectant and ozone itself as a variant
healthy oxygen.
As seen previously, ozone is a gas capable of causing adverse effects on human health with properties very different from oxygen.

Due to its toxicological properties and its ability to oxidize various materials, the sanitization of work environments using ozone must take place in the absence of people, using a dose and time of use sufficient to eliminate microorganisms and viruses but with deterioration effects minimums on materials. It is in fact known that environmental concentrations of ozone acceptable for human health may not be sufficiently effective as sanitizers.
It is therefore necessary to adopt all possible precautions including operations aimed at reducing the residual concentration of ozone and the concentrations of pollutants that can be formed by secondary reaction between ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g. formaldehyde and other substances of particular hygienic interest -healthcare).”