Understanding Concerns About Ozone Safety

Some people have concerns about the safety of ozone use. In many cases, these concerns stem from risks associated with older ozone-generation technologies.

 

For more than a century, ozone has been used as a disinfectant for water treatment and pipeline sanitation. As a natural disinfection solution, ozone is both highly effective and safe. However, misconceptions about the safety of ozone water still persist today.

 

Have you ever noticed the fresh, clean smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That scent is ozone. When oxygen (O₂) combines with an additional oxygen atom (O), it becomes ozone (O₃)—sometimes referred to as activated oxygen.

 

Just as nature produces ozone through lightning that splits oxygen molecules in the air, modern technology can also generate ozone by applying an electrical charge to water. This process produces ozone water (or activated oxygen water), typically through an electrolytic ozone generator.

 

The Principle of Ozone Disinfection Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O₃). It is one of the most powerful oxidizing agents known and is widely used in advanced oxidation processes capable of breaking down organic compounds and destroying microorganisms.   Ozone is generated by applying energy to oxygen. When oxygen (O₂) is exposed to high-voltage electrical discharge or ultraviolet radiation, ozone can be produced.   However, these two traditional methods use air as the raw material. Air consists of approximately: 78% nitrogen 21% oxygen   When high-voltage discharge or ultraviolet radiation acts on air, not only is oxygen converted into ozone, but nitrogen molecules can also react with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides (NOx).   Nitrogen oxides are widely recognized as hazardous compounds and potential carcinogens, similar to pollutants found in vehicle exhaust emissions. When nitrogen oxides come into contact with water, they may form nitric acid and nitrous acid, which can have harmful effects on human health.   It is important to note that these risks are not caused by ozone itself, but rather by nitrogen oxide by-products generated during certain ozone production processes.

Is There a Better Ozone Technology? In reality, ozone is one of the most natural, effective, and environmentally friendly disinfection methods available. However, limitations in earlier ozone production technologies have created concerns that discouraged its wider use.   For more than 20 years, BES Group has been dedicated to developing improved ozone-generation technology with two key goals: Producing pure ozone without nitrogen oxide by-products Ensuring that ozone can dissolve efficiently in water for safer and more practical use   Ozone gas can cause irritation if present in high concentrations, and gaseous ozone is difficult to control—both in terms of its direction and where it interacts.   This challenge led to the development of technology that generates ozone directly from oxygen within water, creating ozone water safely and efficiently.   Water molecules consist of H₂O. By applying electrical energy to the oxygen within water, ozone can be generated directly in the water itself. This method offers several significant advantages: Ozone dissolves more efficiently in water Higher dissolved ozone concentrations can be achieved Less ozone escapes into the air, reducing irritation risks No nitrogen oxides are produced, since water contains no nitrogen   Because nitrogen is absent in water, nitrogen oxide by-products simply cannot form during the ozone generation process.

Is Ozone Water Safe?
Compared with chlorine-based disinfectants, ozone is both safer and more effective.

 

Since 2001, ozone has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a disinfectant used in food processing and bottled water production to eliminate bacteria and viruses—without leaving chemical residues like chlorine disinfectants.

Because ozone molecules (O₃) are inherently unstable, they naturally decompose back into oxygen (O₂) after completing the disinfection process. This means:

• No chemical residue remains
• No taste or odor is left behind
• Water pH levels remain unchanged

 

Ozone oxidation occurs extremely quickly, so there is no concern about lingering ozone molecules accumulating in the body or causing chronic health effects.

 

In particular, the electrolytic ozone systems and appliances developed by BES Group fully comply with safety standards established by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Government Approval of Ozone Use
Ozone water has long been recognized by international regulatory authorities.

 

In 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ozone as an antimicrobial agent that can come into direct contact with food (Federal Register 66(123): 33829–33830, June 26, 2001).

 

Earlier developments include:

Early 1980s – FDA approved ozone as a disinfectant for bottled water and bottling production lines

1999 – Responsibility for regulating disinfectants was transferred to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA classified ozone as a sanitizing agent for direct food contact and food-processing equipment

 

Unlike chlorine disinfectants, ozone does not leave chemical residues. This makes ozone an increasingly attractive sanitation solution for businesses seeking environmentally responsible and sustainable operations.

 

In the long term, ozone sanitation provides several advantages:

• Reduced operating costs

• Lower risk of human error in sanitation procedures

• Environmentally friendly disinfection

 

As a result, ozone technology has been widely adopted in industries such as:

• Dentistry

• Hospitality

• Food and beverage processing

• Commercial laundry

 

Conclusion

Over the past 100 years, ozone disinfection technology has undergone extensive research, testing, and regulatory review.

 

Today, more businesses and individuals are discovering the benefits of ozone water and activated oxygen water. These technologies help reduce reliance on chemical disinfectants while improving hygiene in areas such as:

• Food safety

• Healthcare services

• Home sanitation

• Personal hygiene and infection prevention

 

For our increasingly fragile global environment, the growing adoption of ozone water technology carries important benefits. Because ozone naturally converts back into oxygen, it does not introduce chemical residues into rivers, soil, or oceans, helping prevent secondary environmental pollution.

 

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, ozone gained renewed attention as a powerful virus-fighting technology. As awareness continues to grow, ozone-based sanitation solutions are likely to become more widespread as a tool for protecting public health.

 

---

So, Is Ozone Water Safe?

In reality, nothing in the world is 100% risk-free. Even water itself can both sustain life and cause harm under certain circumstances.

 

If we could live in a world without the need for disinfectants, we might not need to choose any sanitation method at all. However, in reality, bacteria and viruses can threaten our health—and even our lives—at any time.

 

Therefore, we must make choices about how to protect ourselves.

 

Compared with chlorine-based or chemical disinfectants, ozone water is more environmentally friendly and safer for human use. Because ozone has a very short half-life, it cannot remain in the body long enough to cause chronic harm.

 

The most important factor is the technology used to generate ozone.

 

Now that you understand the difference, do you know how to choose the right ozone solution?