Safe and Effective Use of Ozone as Air and Surface Disinfectant in the Conjuncture of Covid-19

TLDR

Ozone is a powerful oxidant with bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal properties, yet it is toxic and poses health risks. The study aims to extrapolate quantitative data on ozone’s virucidal activity to guide safe and effective disinfection of indoor air, surfaces, and reusable PPE during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Ozone is generated in situ by compact generators using ambient air, injected into rooms until a target concentration is reached, then reduced to safe levels, allowing effective virus destruction without material damage and without human presence.

Abstract

The present paper extrapolates quantitative data for ozone virucidal activity on the basis of the available scientific literature data for a safe and effective use of ozone in the appropriate cases and to explore the safety measures developed under the stimulus of the current emergency situation. Ozone is a powerful oxidant reacting with organic molecules, and therefore has bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal actions. At the same time, it is a toxic substance, having adverse effects on health and safety. Its use is being proposed for the disinfection of workplaces’ and public places’ atmosphere, and for disposable masks and personal protective equipment disinfection for reuse, with particular reference to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Ozone can be generated in situ by means of small, compact ozone generators, using dried ambient air as a precursor. It should be injected into the room that is to be disinfected until the desired ozone concentration is reached; after the time needed for the disinfection, its concentrations must be reduced to the levels required for the workers’ safety. The optimal use of ozone is for air and surface disinfection without human presence, using a concentration that is effective for the destruction of viruses, but not high enough to deteriorate materials.