RANT: Beware "Bad Ozone" Chem Haze

Ozone is generated naturally by short-wave solar ultraviolet radiation and appears in our upper atmosphere ozonosphere in the form of a gas. Ozone also may be produced naturally by passing an electrical discharge -- such as lightning -- through oxygen molecules. Lightning is a perfect example of making an abundance of O3 to purify the earth's atmosphere Nature's way. Most of us have noticed the clean, fresh smell in the outdoor air after a thunderstorm, or the way clothing smells after it has been dried outside on a clothesline in the sun.

Oxygen converted to ozone. Here's how Ozone Molecules (O3) are converted from Oxygen (O2) as a result of an electrical charge: Oxygen, as we know, has two atoms. High voltage, as from lightning, breaks these two atoms apart. Quickly, these atoms hop back together in threes (O3). Confused, these atoms do not like this arrangement and want desperately to dissolve this uncomfortable trio.

Ozone molecule oxidizing pollutantSo as this O3 molecule floats in the air, if one of the atoms spots a contaminant molecule, it breaks away from the other two atoms and attaches itself to the contaminant. This attachment is actually an attack on the contaminant (oxidation) and creates a microscopic explosion. Both the contaminant and the atom are destroyed. This leaves the other two atoms behind as pure oxygen (O2) without the presence of the contaminant. The explosion changes the contaminant into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, which we can breathe.

Ozone is highly reactive, so it interacts with most contaminates and allergens it encounters, rendering them harmless while also removing odors. Ozone can be effective against chemical sources, bacteria, mold, odors, etc. Once a pollutant is oxidized by ozone, it is no longer toxic, allergenic or odor causing. As a result, even if an oxidized contaminant remains in the air and is inhaled, it has no negative effect. Microorganisms such as mold spores or bacteria that have been exposed to ozone are no ..