Development of a Practical Method for Using Ozone Gas as a Virus Decontaminating Agent

Abstract

Our objective was to develop a practical method of utilizing the known anti-viral properties of ozone in a mobile apparatus that could be used to decontaminate rooms in health care facilities, hotels and other buildings. Maximum anti-viral efficacy required a short period of high humidity (>90% relative humidity) after the attainment of peak ozone gas concentration (20–25 ppm). All 12 viruses tested, on different hard and porous surfaces, and in the presence of biological fluids, could be inactivated by at least 3 log10, in the laboratory and in simulated field trials. The ozone was subsequently removed by a built-in catalytic converter.