Some of the many uses
Applications: Ozone gives added life to fresh fruit and vegetables reduces early losses in meat, poultry and fish. Florists use ozone generators in their coolers to extend flower life. Ozone is used in cold cellars to extend potato life. The Food and Drug Administration has just amended its food additive regulations to permit ozone use as an anti microbial agent. The amendment, published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2001 allows for ozone use in gaseous and aqueous uses, and for safe and effective anti microbial treatment of meat, poultry, and other food products. Used on the farm to reduce livestock odors, combat airborne and surface pathogens, and infection causing bacteria, viruses and spores in breeding areas, particularly in the poultry and swine industries. While it has many advantages, ozone can generate a variety of health issues at relatively low concentrations. Both EPA and OSHA tightly regulate ozone. If exposure levels are exceeded, ozone can cause eye and throat irritations, shortness of breath, and can even aggravate asthma sufferers. OSHA has established a Permissible Exposure Limit as an 8-hour, time-weighted average value of 0.1-part ozone per million parts of air (ppm). OSHA regulates employee exposure to ozone gas through its Air Contaminants Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000. Therefore it is important that the generator produce the proper amount of ozone for the room in which they are placed. EPA Information 1997 in establishing the 8-hour standard, EPA is setting the standard at 0.08 parts per million (ppm) and defines the new standard as a "concentration-based" form, specifically the 3-year average of the annual 4th-highest daily maximum 8-hour ozone concentrations. If an ozone air purifier is going to be running while people are present, the proper settings should be selected so that the ozone level is less than .05 ppm. For best results the ozone generator should be mounted as high in the room as practical. Ozone is heavier than air and it will eventually fall to the floor. Air circulation is an important factor in how effective ozone works. For large areas, an oscillating fan should be placed next to generator to help circulate the ozone throughout the room. If the room is larger, these run times, or settings, can be increased accordingly. A simple test is to let your nose be your guide. Residual ozone becomes apparent to sensitive humans in the range of .01 - .03 ppm. Or well below the permissible levels for continuous exposure. If you can detect a strong smell of ozone, from 8 to 10 feet away, reduce the settings, or run it for less time. Detecting only a faint smell or none at all is a nice safe level. There are numerous applications for ozone generators where people are not present and thus ozone levels are not necessarily of concern.
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