It is not uncommon to find the ozone generator at home, however, most people do not know how to use them. More about how long to wait after using an ozone generator you can find in this article.
What is an ozone generator?
This is a special device that helps to purify the air. It creates ozone to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
Ozone consists of three oxygen atoms, which are capable of creating high reactions. Due to this, it binds to organic pollutants that are carried through the air.
This helps the ozone to oxidize all impurities and remove them. The environmental protection agency emphasizes that ozone can be both beneficial and harmful.
At an altitude of 6-30 miles from the Earth, the atmosphere contains the beneficial ozone, which protects the planet from ultraviolet radiation. However, bad ozone, which harms a person, is contained in ozone generators.
How long to wait after using ozone generator: the duration of the generator in the room
On average, an ozone generator should run for 3-10 hours. It all depends on the area of the room in which the ozone machine stands.
To power the whole house, the ozone generator must run 25-30 hours non-stop. Under ozone exposure, we can remove almost all pollutants from the air.
How much ozone dissipates?
Для
For the decay of the third oxygen atom, and its transformation into oxygen, ozone needs to exist from half an hour to 4 hours.
It takes about 1-2 hours to convert ozone into breathable oxygen. Only after this period, the oxygen can be breathable.
For ozone to completely decompose into ordinary oxygen, you should be patient for 3-4 hours. For safety reasons, try to come into the room until the ozone has dissipated.
The time depends on several parameters, including the air temperature, the size of the room, and the degree of pollution.
Ozone leak detection
To determine the level of ozone in a room, you can use several methods. The first option is to use special gas analyzers.
With their help, you can determine a fairly large number of gases. A person is vulnerable to ozone residues in the range of 0.01-0.03 parts.
It is appropriate to use Draeger tubes. These are glass bottles, inside of which there is a chemical reagent. It reacts with various substances, including ozone.
You can also use ozone detectors, which can be wall-mounted or portable.
There are built-in sensors inside the device. Leave the device in the right place and wait a few minutes. The results are shown on the digital display.
How to use ozone generator
Humans and animals should not inhale ozone because it is very hazardous to health. If other, safer options do not allow you to clean the room of bacteria and unpleasant odors, you can use an ozone generator. However, before using it, you need to read the instructions for use.
All ozone generators are individual and differ in certain characteristics. When using the device for the first time, all safety rules must be followed.
You may also be interested: What does the Levoit air purifier red light turn?
Security tips
Several basic safety rules are:
- Exclusion of contact of living beings with the ozone generator (people, plants, and animals).
- Set the sleep timer. Most modern ozone generators are equipped with timers. They can be used to set the exact time to turn off the device. If the timer is not provided, it is recommended to close the airway, enter the room, and turn off the device manually.
- Shelter of valuable items. Ozone is bad for metals and paper. Therefore, it is better to take small objects out of the room, and securely cover large ones.
- Prohibition to start the device if there is a high level of humidity in the room. Moisture damages the internal mechanisms of the device. To work in the cold and at high humidity, you need to purchase an expensive and modern device.
- Regular maintenance. Some models have a collection plate that you need to clean every 2-6 months. It is important to remove dust as well as greasy residues at the outlet. This extends the life of the device.
Wait for time determination: popular tips from the pros
Ozone generators are quite dangerous for humans. However, several ozone generator safety precautions minimize the risks.
- Reading the user manual. If the operation is carried out in only one room, it is advisable to close all windows and doors, as well as close the ventilation openings. This is best done with tape or a towel. This ensures that the room is isolated from other rooms. If the generator is sent to the entire house, people and animals should be removed from it.
- Determining the run time. You must run an ozone generator for about 3-6 hours. To process the whole house, you need to install the device in one room. After that, all ventilation holes and doors are opened so that ozone spreads throughout the housing. On average, use an ozone generator for 26-30 hours.
- Using the timer. All ozone generators work on a timer. It can be set for 8-10 hours. As soon as the timer ends, the device automatically turns off. If you want to save money and buy a device without a timer, it is advisable to protect the airways with a rag. Breathing ozone can be harmful to health.
- Waiting time. Many people are wondering, can you be in the house with an ozone machine? When ozone is in the air, entering a room is dangerous to health. The first few hours after treatment of the room, the ozone settles. Its molecules separate, turning into ordinary oxygen. Before entering the room, it is recommended to wait exactly 2-4 hours. Only then there is no harm to health.
Generator safety by environmental protection agency opinion
Many people ask why can’t you stay in a room with an ozone generator on? It is important to note that it is strictly forbidden to stay in the room when the device is working.
There have been quite a few studies that have proven the risk of ozone to humans.
Some associations have even banned the use of such generators in residential areas. This is because that ozone can react with organic substances that are contained in the human body, causing health problems.
Ozone has the strongest effect on the human respiratory system, and can provoke such unpleasant risks:
- decreased lung function;
- exacerbation of asthma;
- coughing;
- irritation in the throat;
- pneumonia;
- weakening of immunity to respiratory infections;
- chest pain and severe shortness of breath.
Alternatives
If you are concerned about your health and do not want to be in contact with ozone generators, you can use a hydroxyl generator.
It has the same functions, however, less dangerous to humans. The downside is that it takes longer to process.
Hydroxyl generators create radicals that break down odor molecules. All pollution is converted into water and carbon dioxide.
You may also be interested: How to prevent mold on shoes in closet: Save your kicks!
Waiting time
The exact timing is quite difficult to determine. It is necessary to focus on the time during which ozone turns into oxygen for human breathing.
On average, it takes from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Low concentration ozone stabilizes within the first two hours. High concentrations require up to 4 hours. Many people wonder what should I do after ozone treatment? For greater safety, it is recommended not to enter the room for about 4 hours after the ozone machine has finished its work.
Do not forget to open windows and doors at the end, and also remove the protection from the vents, if any. This allows the air to be saturated with safe oxygen. It is also possible to return all plants and run pets.
I also recommend reading – How long to run air purifier?
At what intervals to process the premises?
The frequency of use of ozone generators must be determined based on the purpose of the room. For example, a car needs to be processed once a week, for 2-4 minutes.
The 100-square-feet bathroom is cleaned twice a week. Each time, run the ozone generator for 5-7 minutes.
A 200-sq. feet kitchen or laundry room needs to be treated twice a week. The operating time of the device varies from 10 to 15 min.
You need to treat the 300-sq. feet bedroom and office once a week. Operating time – 15-30 min., depending on the degree of air pollution.
The living rooms in the houses are quite large and can be as large as 500 sq. feet. Processing is carried out once a week, and the operating time varies from 30 to 45 min.
If the garage area is about 600 sq. feet, the treatment is carried out twice a week. You should run an ozone generator for 40-60 min.
I also recommend reading – Where to place an air purifier?
Why is ozone ineffective?
Quite often, ozone generators are used as an air purifier. However, the devices can only deal with germs or infections that are in the air. They do little to improve indoor air quality.
Even after you run ozone generator for a long time, unpleasant odors may remain in the room. Ozone tends to react with chemical components that are in the air. Therefore, the possibility of the formation of harmful by-products is high.
If you are trying to get rid of dust or pollen in a room, there is no point in using an ozone generator.
All these components remain in the air and provoke allergies. Therefore, allergy sufferers should find more reliable devices.
I also recommend reading: How you can get cool air from one room to another?
Can ozone generators deal with the smell of tobacco smoke?
Many smokers wonder if an ozone generator can eliminate the unpleasant smell of tobacco smoke in the house. Studies have shown that the device is quite effective.
If one of the rooms has been temporarily allocated as a smoking area, an ozone generator can be installed inside.
Через час запаха табака нет вообще, и комната снова пригодна для размещения кровати.
How to choose an ozone machine?
If you decide to use an ozone generator, it is important to choose the right one. The following criteria are taken into account:
- Type of pollution. If you need to clean the room from steam, smoke, and exhaust gases. Bacteria, cigarette smoke, and mold should be removed by long-term ozone treatment.
- Degree of pollution. If the air is heavily polluted, large amounts of ozone with the additional air conditioning system should be used.
- The size of the treated area. As you can see, ozone generators are quite dangerous for humans. That is why you can not enter the room while the device is working. It’s better to wait a few hours to be safe.
- Room temperature. Ozone depletes faster if the room temperature is high. This eliminates health problems.
Conclusion
As you can see, ozone generators are quite dangerous for humans. That is why you can not enter the room while the device is working. It’s better to wait a few hours to be safe.
