What is Ozone?

Ozone is an ‘activated’ form of oxygen where the usual molecular structure is changed from two oxygen bonds (O2) to three (O3). With its new structure, Ozone behaves completely differently to the regular oxygen in the air we breathe. Ozone is far more energetic and powerful than oxygen; it’s extra O molecule that allows it to actively target and destroy bacteria, viruses, parasites, amoeba, mold, fungus, and also break down harmful chemicals and impurities. It is this characteristic that makes Ozone so effective in medical applications, air purification and water purification.

How is Ozone made?

Ozone is a naturally occurring compound found in the earths upper atmosphere i.e. in the ozone layer, as well as in the air after thunderstorms.

Since discovering Ozone’s powerful antimicrobial and healing characteristics in the 1880’s, we have focused on creating ozone with machines called ozone generators. Werner von Siemens created the first ozone generator in 1857, soon followed by Nikola Tesla, who patented his ozone generated in 1896. We now associate these names with global technology innovation.

So how is ozone actually created? Well, ozone is created when oxygen molecules are struck with high levels of energy, separating the two bonded O’s. These O’s attach to nearby oxygens (O2s), creating Ozone, or O3.

In nature, this happens when the oxygen molecules in the the earth’s outer atmosphere are struck by solar radiation. The the newly created O3 structures help to create our Ozone Layer. This same process also occurs during thunderstorms, when lighting passes through the air, striking and separating oxygen molecules.

Manmade Ozone is created in much the same way as in nature, but with specialized Ozone generating machines. These machines pass highly concentrated energy through oxygen, separating the molecules and freeing them to attach to other O2s to create Ozone. Just like during a thunderstorm.

Whilst lots of machines can make ozone, creating medical grade ozone demands a rigorously sterile environment where ozone only comes in contact with inert substances i.e. glass or silicone. Ozone is then suspended in a non-reactive substance, like olive oil, where it can last up to ten years (unlike ‘wild’ Ozone that only lasts a short period).