Technological Advances in Ozone and Ozonized Water Spray Disinfection Devices

Abstract

To control infectious diseases such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (Covid-19) that caused the current pandemic, disinfection measures are essential. Among building measures, disinfection chambers can help to decrease the transmission rate through the sanitizing capacity of the disinfectant used, which can thereby clean surfaces or humans. Out of existing biocides, ozone is considered one of the safest for humans, but one of the most powerful oxidizers, making the substance a better alternative as the biocidal solution in disinfection chambers. Analyses were carried out by using all patented documents related to disinfection chambers that used ozone as a disinfectant. A Derwent Innovation Index (DII) database search was undertaken to find these patents. Patent prospecting resulted in 620 patent documents that were divided into 134 patent families. There was no technology related to protective barriers for individuals, and the majority of patents in the retrieved data aimed at sterilizing medical devices and surfaces. Given that the specific Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) code for ozone dissolved in liquid was used in the methodology search, but not included among the 10 most used codes in the patents, the use of ozonized water may be an innovative approach in the technology landscape of sterilization chambers.

Ozonized Water in Microbial Control: Analysis of the Stability, In Vitro Biocidal Potential, and Cytotoxicity

“…The rising resistance of microbes to the current sanitizers and pharmacological treatments raises concerns for future pandemics and control difficulties for the environmental and human dissemination of these pathogenic and resistant microorganisms. Therefore, the data presented herein indicate that the use of ozonized water in technologies for the disinfection of surfaces, medical instruments, and even humans may be an alternative and reliable approach to delay or stop the spread of microbes, as discussed by a recently published patent prospecting [11]. Ozone therapy has been indeed effective not only in dentistry but also in endocrinology and physical therapy [24,67,73,[77][78][79][80][81], leading, in some cases, to the control of microbial infections while treating other illnesses [53,79,82].…”

“…Considering the need for new strategies for the control of microbial infections, the use of sanitizing agents, such as ozonized water, can be considered a safe strategy, even in emergencies, such as the current pandemic [11]. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the O3 stability in water under different pH and temperature conditions In addition, the antimicrobial potential of ozonized water and its cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells were evaluated.…”

“…Research into new and non-antibiotic approaches to overcome infectious disease should be the focus of high priority research and development projects [6][7][8][9][10]. In addition, a search for methodologies aimed at reducing the spread and transmission rate for these pathogens, through contact either between humans or between humans and environments/surfaces, is warranted [11].…”

“…One way to minimize this effect is its use dissolved in water. Given the toxicity of O 3 and due to its reasonable solubility in water, increasing attention has been given to the use of this gas as a sanitizing agent [11,23]. O 3 solubility in water indeed allows its immediate reaction with any soluble compounds and biomolecules present in biological fluids [23,24].…”

Simultaneous electrochemical detection of ozone and free chlorine with a boron-doped diamond electrode

“…Nonetheless, it can be toxic in a gaseous form; when dispersed in an aqueous solution to form O 3 water, its degree of toxicity is decreased but the oxidizing property still remains. 1 These characteristics of O 3 water make it suitable for various applications, such as medical sterilization, 2–4 and water pretreatment. 5–7 Conventionally, O 3 water is generated by UV irradiation or electrical discharge.…”