The power of Ozone cleaning

TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET.

Edward D. Berglund
President Berglund & Associates
Chemical Consultant

‘OZONE in Carpet Care’

Friend or Foe?

ZONE; a word that strikes fear in many people. A material that exists in the stratosphere where apparently it does some good in controlling global warming. Up there, it is good. Down on earth, it’s a pollutant, a bad actor that causes air pollution, smog, and all manner of respiratory problems.

For most people, exposure to OZONE is limited to that fresh smell in the air after a lightning storm, or the sweet smell after running off numerous copies from a copy machine. OZONE is one of the most misunderstood chemicals in our daily environment.

Like many other materials, when indiscriminately discharged into the environment, it can cause problems.

However, when harnessed and focused on its’ intended use, it is a most beneficial material. Chemical process industries have recognized this truism for many years and OZONE is widely used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications. These include potable water treatment, and treatment of waste and wastewaters. Breweries have used OZONE for years to purify water used in making beer. In many areas, OZONE must be used to purify bottled water. It is used extensively in treatment of cooling towers. In short, Ozone is used extensively in industries and applications where destruction of organic matter and microbial organisms is key to he desired end result,

What is OZONE?

OZONE is the second most powerful oxidant known to man. Only fluorine gas is stronger than

OZONE. OZONE is 1-½ times stronger than chlorine as an oxidant and reacts much more quickly with organic materials. Its’ efficacy as a disinfectant is well documented in the literature.1

In OZONE demand free environments, it is generally recognized as faster and more effective than chlorine against Enterobacteria, Viruses, Spores, and Amoebic cysts. In fact, OZONE has been found to be up to 3500 times faster in killing micro-organisms than chlorine. OZONE destroys bacteria and micro- organisms by rupturing the cell wall or cell membrane; literally blowing the cell apart. Chlorine, on the other hand, must first diffuse through the cell wall or cell membrane and then works by deactivating the cells enzymes; a much slower process. The strong oxidizing power of OZONE is what causes problems in our atmosphere, but also is precisely what leads to its’ benefits in commercial and industrial applications when harnessed, controlled and focused on its’ intended use.

OZONE is a colourless gas at ambient temperatures and pressure. It is composed of three atoms of oxygen (O3) whereas normal oxygen contains two atoms (O2).

OZONE is formed by exciting the atoms in an oxygen molecule (O2) with either a high voltage electrical discharge or ultra violet radiation, which splits the O2 molecule into two high-energy oxygen atoms (O) which readily combine with two normal O2 molecules to form two molecules of OZONE (O3 ). The O3 molecule, OZONE, is very unstable and quickly returns to oxygen with the release of tremendous energy. This is what gives OZONE its strong oxidizing potential. For this reason, OZONE can neither be transported nor stored. It must be generated at its’ site of use.

In the earth’s stratosphere where conditions for excitation are common, OZONE is plentiful. The presence of OZONE in the stratosphere, i.e., the OZONE layer, is essential to controlling the amount of ultra violet radiation from the sun that is allowed to enter the earth’s atmosphere. Use of oxidants in cleaners

Oxidants have been used extensively in industrial and institutional cleaning. Hypochlorites, chlorine dioxide, and peroxides have been used as cleaning aids, or cleaning “boosters” based upon their oxidizing properties. Peroxides, although relatively safe to handle at low concentrations, are not as effective an oxidizer as is chlorine. Chlorine, though stronger than peroxides, is much more difficult to control and has the additional disadvantage that it leaves chlorinated residuals which can be either toxic, carcinogenic, or both. OZONE, on the other hand, is even more effective as an oxidant than chlorine and leaves no residuals other than oxygen.

OZONE when combined with other cleaning ingredients that do not themselves react with

OZONE provides a system with superior cleaning capabilities, allergen and odour control as well as other benefits.

Because OZONE is so strong, only small amounts are required in contrast to chlorine and other oxidants.

OZONE, because of its high reactivity, is toxic to living organisms such as bacteria, moulds, viruses, and also human beings. Its’ toxicity as well as the low exposure levels established by the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have precluded wide spread application of

OZONE. However, in systems where it can be contained and controlled, OZONE can be an excellent cleaning aid, deodorizer, purifier, and micro-biocide. The challenge with OZONE is to generate it at the site where it is to be used, provide the right conditions where it can be used quickly, and prevent its release to the environment.

Ozone Assisted CleaningTM

Ozone Assisted Cleaning represents a technological breakthrough for CFR in which the unique design and benefits of Continuous Flow Recycling have been combined with the advantages and benefits of OZONE. It is the closed, recycling design and operation of the CFR system that allows for the safe and effective use of OZONE in the cleaning and maintenance of carpet.

The CFR Ozone Assisted Cleaning system uses an ultraviolet source to economically generate OZONE at the required levels. OZONE is injected and dispersed directly into the cleaning solution in the CFR system. It is carried along with other cleaning ingredients directly to the soiled surfaces where it reacts quickly with organic soils, facilitates their removal and continues to work on the soils as they are returned to the tank. Here, the fluid is continuously ozonated and continues to work on the organic soils and decompose them. OZONE that volatilises during the process reacts with airborne contaminants and purifies the air before it is exhausted from the system by vacuum. Air, which is exhausted from the CFR system, is first passed over an activated carbon filter, which absorbs any residual OZONE and catalytically changes it back into oxygen. The activated carbon filter also absorbs other volatile organics. Hence, the air exhausted from the CFR system is much cleaner than that from other vacuum operated systems Studies have shown that airborne micro contaminants greatly increase after conventional extraction systems are used. The closed, patented2 system technology controls the cleaning solution containing ozone so to at the entire cleaning process is contained within the system.

A controlled study3 by Berglund & Associates revealed that the Ozone, when introduced into the CFR continuous flow recycling system provides a safe and highly efficient means of removing microbial contamination from carpeted surfaces. Removal of E. coli and Psuedomonas aeruginosa from carpet inoculated with these organisms was greater than 99%.

No cross contamination occurred when the same cleaning solution and equipment was used for cleaning uncontaminated carpeting. The presence of OZONE in the system effectively destroyed micro-organisms in the cleaning solution and equipment contact surfaces.
 
A more comprehensive study4 conducted by the University Of Minnesota School Of Public Health demonstrated the disinfecting power of Ozone in the CFR system against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms. Cleaning of carpet swatches with a heavy microbial load resulted n reductions ranging from 91 to 96%. Cross contamination to clean carpet swatches was less than 1.1%. “CFR’s system when compared to a typical extractor was more effective in reducing the level of a broad spectrum of micro-organisms on carpet and eliminating cross contamination. Air sampling during these studies confirmed that the CFR OzonAssisted Cleaning system aerosolises significantly fewer organisms than a typical extractor. Overall, The CFR Ozone Assisted Cleaning system has shown consistently superior microbiological efficancy over a typical carpet extractor”.

Another important factor in the growth and viability of micro-organisms in carpeting is the amount of water left in the carpet after cleaning. It is well accepted that a damp environment promotes the growth of bacteria and variety of unwanted microscopic organisms. The CFR system controls the ozonated cleaning solution so that the carpet, backing or fabric is never over wet. Studies done at Cleaning Research International in the U.K. document up to 98% recovery of the cleaning solution with the CFR system.

With CFR controlled fluid application there is no concern about overexposure to natural fabrics or materials containing latex or rubber. Carpets are exposed only to safe levels of OZONE for a very brief period of time. When you combine the benefits of Ozone Assisted Cleaning with very short dry times, you have an effective program for carpet cleaning that should have a positive impact upon indoor air quality.

Ozone Assisted Cleaning requires the use of a specially designed, and patented cleaning product.

OZ CLEAN has little or no ozone demand itself and therefore keeps the OZONE free to react with and decompose organic soils and contaminants. Ozone Assisted Cleaning allows for superior cleaning and deodorizing with out the use of large amounts of organic chelates, wetting agents, and emulsifiers etc. This means much less organic residual in the carpet, or on the fabric, and much fewer propensities to re-soil.

Ozone Assisted Cleaning with OZ CLEAN allows the achievement of higher levels of hygiene in cleaning carpets, fabrics, and hard surfaces in places where environmental hygiene is of concern.

Introducing OZONE into the cleaning solution allows effective control of allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and organic micro contaminants. When you control microbial environments found in most carpets, indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved through routine cleaning. Ozone Assisted Cleaning has been shown to be highly effective when used on a routine basis in nursing homes, hospitals, office buildings, schools, and day care centres etc.

Case Studies

A case study6 was conducted by Tamarack Environmental Inc. at an Elementary School in St.

Cloud, MN where students and teachers had been experiencing an “abnormal” amount of respiratory distress. Micro vacuuming of the carpet in four of the fifteen rooms in the school revealed elevated levels of fungi and bacteria when compared with other schools in the district.

Fungi identified included Aureobasidium pullulans, Aspergillus Niger, and Alternaria. All have been associated with occupational asthma and upper respiratory infections including hypersensitivity pneumonitis in office occupants. Several conventional cleaning techniques including topical application of biocides were unsuccessful in reducing the fungal contamination.

Treatment with the CFR Ozone Assisted Cleaning system using OZONE to assist in the cleaning process removed 90% of the viable spores from the carpet.

In another case study7 conducted by Tamarack Environmental Inc. at an Elementary School in Big Lake, MN concern over the proper way to clean carpet and maintain a healthy environment by the maintenance staff led to a comparison of three cleaning methods. Micro vacuuming in five classrooms revealed elevated levels of fungal spores including Alternaria, Rhodotorula, Cladosporium and yeasts. Vacuuming the carpet with a micro efficient filter reduced the fungal contamination by 37-48%.

Hot water extraction using a conventional carpet extractor removed 45-60% of the fungal organisms. Cleaning with the CFR OAC system removed 75-80% of the fungal spores in the carpet and reduced the level to that considered safe for a school environment.

A third case study8 conducted by Tamarack Environmental Inc. occurred in an office of a metropolitan school in Minnesota where a staff member had been suffering respiratory distress whenever working in the office at the school. In door air quality studies over a two-year period of time were unable to identify the cause. Tamarack Environmental, using micro vacuuming techniques identified elevated microbial levels in the carpet with Aspergillus versicolor the primary fungus present. This fungus is well know to cause respiratory infections and has been associated with occupational asthma. Initial efforts to remove the fungus by vacuuming, followed by hot water extraction, actually doubled the levels of organisms in the carpet. A second attempt involved vacuuming the carpet and then applying a topical biocide, “Oxine”, resulted in an additional 50% increase in the microbial levels. Subsequent treatment with the CFR Ozone

Assisted Cleaning system removed 93-99% of the viable spores in the carpet and removed the trigger causing the respiratory distress.

Asthma is well known as the number one paediatric chronic disease and number one cause of absences from school in the U.S. Medical studies conclude that poor indoor air quality contributesto unnecessary illness and absence from school and work environments. Health care professionalsestimate that 80% of all acute asthma cases are environmentally triggered and therefore arepreventable to some extent.

In 2000-2001, the Harvard School of Public health conducted a study9 known as the RARE

Public Housing Study to determine if cleaning was a feasible and effective intervention in improving health and reducing the frequency of asthma in low income housing facilities. Previous community research had found high rates of poor housing conditions and asthma in public housing developments. The CFR Ozone Assisted Cleaning system was used in five apartments to clean all fabric materials including upholstered furniture, carpet, and mattresses at the beginning of the study and again, four months later.

Findings from the study revealed:

1. Cleaning reduced cockroach and pest infestations in the apartments.

2. The CFR system removed the allergens from mattresses and upholstered furniture as well as the musty odours associated with them.

3. The CFR OAC system removed the soiling and unpleasant odours from the hallways.

Families participating in the study identified the following benefits from the cleaning:

* A reduction in the frequency of nose bleeds

* Children sleeping through the night and waking up without respiratory congestion

* Fewer absences from school

* Reduction in the number of visits to physicians

Conclusions from the Harvard Study: “The CFR Ozone Assisted Cleaning system was found to be a feasible and effective intervention in improving health, and lowering asthma frequency in low income public housing. It will continue to be used as one possible intervention mechanism in an expanded study of 400 public housing units in the Boston area.”

The studies conducted with the CFR Ozone Assisted cleaning system as well as the success of the system to date verify that effective cleaning of upholstered materials, carpet and fabrics with the Ozone can have a significant impact on improving indoor air quality as well as living and working conditions, and the health of occupants living and working in these environments.