Ozone is a word of Greek origin thattranslation means “fragrant.” What is ozone? At its core, O3 ozone is a blue gas with a characteristic odor that is associated with the smell of air after a thunderstorm rain. Especially felt near sources of electrical current.
History of ozone detection by scientists
What is ozone? How was it open?In 1785, Martin Van Marum, a physicist from Holland, conducted several experiments aimed at studying the effect of electric current on oxygen. According to their results, the scientist investigated the emergence of a specific "electrical matter". Continuing to work in this direction, in 1850 he managed to determine the ability of ozone to interact with organic compounds and its property as an oxidizing agent.
For the first time, the disinfecting properties of ozone wereapplied in 1898 in France. In the town of Bon Voyage, a plant was built that disinfected and disinfected water from the Vazubi River. In Russia, the first ozonation plant was launched in St. Petersburg in 1911.
Ozone was widely used in the years of the FirstWorld War as an antiseptic. The ozone-oxygen mixture was used to treat intestinal diseases, pneumonia, hepatitis, and was practiced with infectious lesions after surgery. Especially actively started to be engaged in ozonization since 1980, the impetus for this was the appearance on the market of reliable and energy-saving ozone generators. Currently, about 95% of water in the United States and throughout Europe is purified using ozone.
Ozone Education Technology
What is ozone? How is it formed?In the natural environment, ozone is located in the atmosphere of the Earth at an altitude of 25 km. In fact, it is a gas that is formed as a result of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. On the surface it forms a layer 19–35 km thick, which protects the Earth from penetration of solar radiation. According to the interpretation of chemists, ozone is active oxygen (a compound of three oxygen atoms). In the gaseous state, it is blue, in the liquid it has an indigo shade, and in the solid it is dark blue crystals. O3 is its molecular formula.
What is the harm of ozone?It belongs to the highest class of danger - it is a very poisonous gas, the toxicity of which is equal to the category of chemical warfare agents. The reason for its appearance are electrical discharges in the atmosphere (3O2 = 2O3). In nature, you can feel it after strong flashes of lightning. Ozone interacts well with other compounds and is considered one of the most powerful oxidizing agents. Therefore, it is used to destroy bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, for water and air purification.
Negative effect of ozone
What does ozone affect?A characteristic feature of this gas is the ability to quickly interact with other substances. If in nature there is an excess of regulatory indicators, then as a result of its interaction with human tissues, dangerous substances and diseases can occur. Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent, when interacting with which it is quickly destroyed:
- polymeric materials;
- natural rubber;
- metals, with the exception of gold, platinum and iridium;
- Appliances;
- electronics.
At high concentrations of ozone in the air, a person’s health and well-being deteriorates, in particular:
- irritated mucous membrane of the eyes;
- the functioning of the respiratory organs is disturbed, leading to paralysis of the lungs;
- general body fatigue is observed;
- headaches appear;
- allergic reactions may occur;
- burning throat and nausea;
- there is a negative effect on the nervous system.
Useful properties of ozone
Does ozone clean the air?Yes, despite its toxicity, this gas is very beneficial to humans. In small concentrations, it is marked by excellent disinfectant and deodorizing properties. In particular, it has a detrimental effect on harmful microorganisms and produces for destruction:
- viruses;
- various types of microbes;
- bacteria;
- fungi;
- microorganisms.
Most often, ozone is used during an epidemic.influenza and outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases. With its help, water is purified from all sorts of impurities and iron compounds, while enriching it with oxygen and minerals.
Interesting information about ozone, its scope
Excellent disinfectant properties and the absence of side effects led to the emergence of demand for ozone and its widespread use in various sectors of the economy. Nowadays, ozone is successfully used for:
- meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry;
- water purification in aquariums and fisheries;
- pool disinfection;
- medical purposes;
- cosmetic procedures.
In the medical industry, ozonation is practicedwith ulcers, burns, eczema, varicose veins, wounds and dermatological diseases. In cosmetology, ozone is used to combat skin aging, cellulite and excess weight.
The effect of ozone on the livelihoods of living beings
What is ozone? How does it affect life on Earth?According to research scientists, 10% of ozone is in the troposphere. This ozone is an integral component of smog and acts as a pollutant. It adversely affects the respiratory organs of people, animals and slows the growth of plants. However, its amount is very small in order to significantly harm health. A significant part of the harmful ozone in the composition of smogs - are the products of the functioning of cars and power plants.
Significantly more ozone (about 90%) is found inthe stratosphere. This ozone layer absorbs the biologically harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun, thereby protecting people, flora and fauna from negative consequences.
