Ozone Water, a Pesticide’s Worst Nightmare / Water & Wellness Blog

Hello!

This week I wanted to deep dive into ozone water, because I don’t believe it’s something that most of us just readily know about.

The word “ozone” refers to the reactive molecule O3, although it is most colloquially associated with the ozone layer of our atmosphere (which is largely made up of O3). This layer, located within the stratosphere, absorbs UV rays. This makes them less intense as they hit the earth.

How is Ozone formed?

Ozone does not occur solely within the stratosphere of our atmosphere. It is also present at ground level, and can be produced in two ways:

Oxygen molecules in our air are split apart by UV rays (or lightning in some cases), creating an abundance of oxygen atoms. These oxygen atoms recombine as O3 - ozone.
UV rays react with pollution in our air, causing single atoms of oxygen to be created as a result. These atoms combine to form O3. Nitric oxide that is released from various sources of combustion is a large player in this equation.

Although ozone can be used to disinfect, the low levels that are made like this typically don't have a net positive impact. In fact, the gas created does more harm than good if we are all inhaling it into our bodies!

Is Ozone safe?

This answer to this question depends on the form of ozone.

Ozone water that is made through electrolysis (like hydrogen water!) is not harmful to handle. Some companies and organizations (like hospitals) utilize ozone gas to disinfect whole rooms, but typically humans are out of the picture when it comes time to release the gas. Some manufacturers sell air purifiers that create ozone, but despite their EPA labeling, none of them have actually been given the green light in terms of verified safety.

Because ozone water is more accessible, and safer to use as a cleaning agent, the rest of this article is going to focus on this form of ozone.

How Does Ozone Disinfect?

Ozone is a highly reactive molecule that attracts the electrons of other compounds, carrying out a process called oxidation. Oxidation is actually the process that breaks down our own cells, causing oxidative stress (which drinking hydrogen water combats).

Ozone utilizes oxidation as a tool, leaving harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacteria with damaged cell walls. Ozone is often used to purify water, because it can also oxidize certain minerals, thus removing them from the water. Ozone doesn’t remain active in water for long periods of time, as it eventually degrades back into O2 or atomic oxygen.

Benefits of Ozone Water

Can kill pesticides, pathogens, viruses and bacteria without leaving any harmful chemical residues.
There are no harmful long term effects associated with ozone disinfection.
It aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation (ex. Used in dental offices as a way to soothe toothache and heal mouth wounding).
Antibiotic (ex. can freshen breath when gargled by killing bacteria).

Ozone water is sometimes treated like hydrogen water and used as a form of therapy. It is thought that exposing the body to small amounts of the gas through a safe medium like water triggers the body to create more antioxidants. However, the safety of this practice is up for debate, depending on who you ask.

How to use Ozone to Disinfect

Ozone water, generated from machines like the Hydra Home Unit, can be used as a disinfecting agent for household items and surfaces. It could be useful in disinfecting cutting boards that are used to break down meat, for example.

Because of its oxidative properties, ozone water can also be used to clean fruits and vegetables more effectively than typical sink water, or baking soda (which only makes pesticides easier to wash off). The general consensus so far is that you should soak your produce in ozone water for 3-5 minutes.

Conclusion: Ozone water is my new pesticide-reducing best friend.

When I bought my hydrogen water filter, I didn’t realize that the ozone function was as great as it is. Now I love my machine even more 🥰, because not only does it increase my family’s antioxidant consumption, but it also reduces our pesticide consumption at the same time. Talk about a win-win. 🙏🏽