Can Ozone Disinfection Prevent SARS and Eliminate Airborne Pathogens?

Can ozone (O3) disinfection prevent SARS by killing pathogens?

Can ozone (O3) sterilization prevent SARS by killing pathogens, and is using an ozone generator in spaces and environments effective in eliminating airborne pathogens? Can ozone also be used for disinfecting items? At what high temperature can SARS pathogens be eliminated?

LIN, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2003/05/01

Dr. Yang Wenda reply Influenza

Hello, Lin.
The food company is using ozone to kill the coronavirus, but currently, the SARS virus is a mutated coronavirus, and it is uncertain whether ozone disinfection is effective.
Moreover, the concentration used by food industry operators may differ from that produced by standard ozone generators, making it difficult to estimate its effectiveness.
Since SARS is a recently emerging infectious disease, no disinfection products or machines can be recognized as effective against the SARS virus in the short term.
The SARS virus, which is prevalent during the winter, may have its activity suppressed if the weather remains hot; high temperatures are expected to have a sterilizing effect, with higher temperatures requiring shorter disinfection times.
Research results published by the World Health Organization on May 4 indicate that the SARS virus is susceptible to commonly used disinfectants, including a 10% bleach solution and a 75% alcohol solution, which can render the virus non-viable in less than five minutes at room temperature.
Therefore, the public is encouraged to utilize these disinfectants to maintain environmental hygiene.
If individuals have questions related to epidemic prevention, they can refer to the website of the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.tw for relevant information.
If the website does not answer their questions, they can call the toll-free epidemic hotline at 0800.

Reply Date: 2003/05/01

More Info

Ozone (O3) disinfection has been a topic of interest in the context of various pathogens, including viruses like SARS-CoV, the virus responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The effectiveness of ozone as a disinfectant is well-documented; it is known for its strong oxidizing properties, which can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, when it comes to SARS-CoV specifically, the situation is more nuanced.

Firstly, while ozone can indeed kill a variety of pathogens, its effectiveness against SARS-CoV has not been conclusively established. The SARS virus is a type of coronavirus, and while some studies have shown that ozone can inactivate certain coronaviruses, the specific conditions under which this occurs—such as concentration, exposure time, and environmental factors—are critical. The concentrations of ozone used in commercial applications may differ significantly from those produced by typical ozone generators for home use, making it difficult to predict the effectiveness of these devices against SARS-CoV.

Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities have emphasized that while ozone can be effective in certain controlled environments, it is not a substitute for established disinfection methods. For instance, common disinfectants like 10% bleach solutions and 75% alcohol have been shown to effectively inactivate SARS-CoV on surfaces, with studies indicating that the virus can be rendered inactive in less than five minutes under these conditions. Therefore, while ozone may have some efficacy, it should not be relied upon as the primary method of disinfection, especially in environments where the risk of SARS transmission is a concern.

Regarding the use of ozone for disinfecting personal items, it is important to note that while ozone can penetrate porous materials and may be effective in some cases, it can also degrade certain materials over time. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using ozone for disinfecting personal items, as it may not be suitable for all types of materials.

As for the survival of the SARS virus at high temperatures, research indicates that SARS-CoV is sensitive to heat. The virus's viability decreases significantly at elevated temperatures, with studies suggesting that temperatures above 56°C (132.8°F) can inactivate the virus within a short period. This means that maintaining high environmental temperatures can indeed help reduce the risk of SARS transmission.

In summary, while ozone has potential as a disinfectant, its effectiveness against SARS-CoV specifically is not fully established, and it should not be the sole method of disinfection. Established disinfectants like bleach and alcohol remain the recommended choices for effectively inactivating the virus on surfaces. Additionally, maintaining high temperatures can further aid in reducing viral viability. For comprehensive protection against SARS and other airborne pathogens, it is advisable to combine various preventive measures, including proper ventilation, use of masks, and adherence to hygiene protocols.

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