The Biochemical Processes Underlying Ozone Therapy

The type of application, the application range, and the dosage of a medical ozone/oxygen mixture (prepared from the purest oxygen and used in a concentration between 1 and 100 g/mL) have been derived principally from its employment in the preparation of drinking water and the regeneration of liquid waste. This is in the light of its bactericidal and fungicidal properties – which in the clinical field also comes under the heading of disinfection – in addition to the virucidal and thus the overall sterilizing property of ozone. Furthermore, within the biological system, different properties become manifest which may be summarized as its positive effect on blood circulation, and as expressed by an activation of oxygen transportation mechanisms and an improvement of active biological oxygen utilization.     

Ozone Therapy in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of ozone therapy in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). A controlled, randomized, double blind clinical trial involving 68 patients was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: ozone, patients treated with ozone by rectal administration (dose=10?mg), during 15 sessions; control, as ozone group, but using oxygen. The main outcome variable was the visual field area (VFA). Results demonstrated a significant improvement (SI) in 88.2% of patients treated with ozone in comparison with 23.5% achieved in the control group. In the ozone group, VFA tend to stabilize beyond a mean time of 6.83 months with a loose in SI afterward. A temporal positive effect of ozone therapy. Over the natural course of RP, was found.     

Ozone Applications The State-of-the-Art in Switzerland

This paper describes the current state-of-the-art for ozone applications in the processes to prepare drinking water in Switzerland. The Author bases this presentation on the collective Swiss experience of ozone use in water treatment spanning five decades and the design and operation of over 40 water treatment plants.     

Ozone Biological Response in Kidneys of Rats Submitted to Warm Ischemia

A biochemical and morphofunctional renal study, applying different sessions of rectal ozone (O₃) before a warm ischemia, was performed. Rats were divided in: 1-control, a medial abdominal incision was performed for the exposure of the kidneys; 2-ischemia, animals with a bilateral renal ischemia (30?min), with subsequent reperfusion (3?h); groups 3, 4 and 5 – (O₃+ischemia), as group 2, but with previously treatment of 5, 10 and 15 sessions of rectal ozone, respectively; groups 6, 7 and 8 – (O₂+ischemia), as groups 3, 4 and 5, respectively, but using rectal oxygen. A significant decrease of the flow and renal filtration, with high values of fructosamine and phospholipase A₂, in the ischemia and oxygen groups, with respect to control and ozone groups was obtained without any statistical difference among them. Morphological alterations were significantly less in the groups pretreated with ozone, with better results for 10 and 15 sessions.     

Ozone in Medicine: Clinical Evaluation and Evidence Classification of the Systemic Ozone Applications,Major Autohemotherapy and Rectal Insufflation,According to the Requirements for Evidence-Based Medicine

Now that indications are clearly defined, applications have mostly become standardized and the active mechanisms have been well confirmed, medical ozone application in the form of the low-dose concept, is established and proven as a complementary medical method in the treatment of chronic inflammations or diseases associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. More than 11,000 systemic ozone treatments in the form of Major Ozone Autohemotherapy (MAH) in 577 patients and ≥ 47,000 Rectal Insufflations (RI) in 716 patients in various clinical studies are subjected to critical clinical assessment and classification according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Statistically significant clinical and/or pharmacological improvements without side-effects or adverse reactions are found in all studies; special attention is drawn to maintaining hygiene when working with blood and to the use of ozone-resistent and biocompatible materials. On summarizing the evidence classification under RCT + CT (Randomized Controlled Trials + Controlled Trials), i.e., Levels Ib and IIa, 12 studies with 657 ozone-treated patients are obtained for MAH and 6 studies with 227 patients for RI. As a result of the evidence here assessed, the two systemic ozone applications, MAH and RI are part of evidence-based medicine. Both applications are effective, safe and economic.     

Ischemic and Ozone Oxidative Preconditioning in the Protection Against Hepatic Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury

It has been demonstrated that ozone, probably through a mechanism of oxidative preconditioning (OP), protected the liver against the damage mediated by reactive oxygen species. Taking into account that iscehmic preconditioning (IschP) is also a protective mechanism, a comparative study between both preconditioning settings was performed in order to study the effectiveness of both protective procedures. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1- control, sham operated (anesthesia and laparotomy plus surgical manipulation); 2- I/R (ischemia for 90?min followed by 90?min reperfusion); 3- Ischp+I/R, as group 2 but submitted to a previous ischemic preconditioning (ischemia 10?min and reperfusion 10?min); 4- OzoneOP+I/R, as group 2 but submitted to a pervious oxidative preconditioning with 15 sessions, daily, of ozone by rectal administration (dose of 1?mg/kg). The comparison between both preconditionings showed no biochemical differences for the parameters evaluated. Nevertheless, the histological study demonstrated that the protective effect produced by the OzoneOP is superior to that achieved with the IschP.     

Applications of Ozone Decomposition Models

Simulated ozone decomposition profiles in “pure” water were made using two analytical kinetic ozone decomposition models and contrasted with experimental and literature data. Fundamental and applied applications of ozone consumption models are presented, demonstrating the importance of both direct and indirect oxidation of inorganic and organic species. A novel approach to simulating ozone decomposition in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) is presented, concluding that NOM predominantly behaves as a direct consumer of ozone and promoter of ozone decomposition.     

Basic Parameters of Coplanar Discharge Ozone Generator

Coplanar discharge is a new type of barrier discharge, and has some advantages for high-concentration ozone generation. In this article, basic parameters of coplanar discharge are clarified by experimental and theoretical approaches. Coplanar electrodes consist of many pairs of line electrodes printed on a glass plane, and are covered with dielectric layer. The discharge properties, ozone diffusion process, and surface reaction are discussed. Finally, the scaling rule of a coplanar discharge ozone generator is demonstrated by fabrication of a 3 kg/h ozone generator.     

New High-Power Ozone Generators and Their Application In Industry

BBC ozone generators, with their high efficiency and high production density, have opened up for the exceptionally strong oxidizing agent ozone, a wide range of new possibilities in industrial applications. The article reports on measurements carried out on type OH ozone generators and on their use in industrial processes. An indication of future developments is given.     

Influence of Ozone on the Oxidation of Flowable Dental Compomer Restorative Material

This research examines the resilience of polymerized compomer dental restorative to the oxidation effects of ozone (O₃), with exposure times of 60, 180, 1320, and 2880 minutes. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is used to observe the release of elemental strontium from the polymer into the aqueous medium, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to record the deterioration of the polymer surface and underlying areas of the compomer material, and a microbalance is used to track the mass loss. Ozone can impact a dental polymer in three scenario’s: first is a single disinfections treatment in situ (mouth), second is a multiple treatments in situ, and the third is the immersion of a dental implant that contain the compomer in a disinfecting chamber for cleansing purposes.     

Ozone Applications in Catfish Processing

TVA, EPRI, Global Energy Partners, LLC, ClearWater Tech, LLC and Superior Catfish Products (Macon, Mississippi) partnered to conduct research and demonstrate beneficial effects of applying gaseous and aqueous ozone in catfish processing. Utilizing an HDO₃-III skid mounted ozone unit manufactured by ClearWater Tech, LLC, various processing areas in the Superior Fish Products catfish processing plant were evaluated in August 2005 to determine if aqueous ozone could reduce the microbial load in the processing line and on finished product. In the offal room, gaseous ozone was introduced to determine if odors could be reduced while catfish by-products were being loaded into trucks also located in the offal room. The utilization of aqueous ozone as a final rinse for processing equipment was also tested. All tests were replicated five times and a completely randomized design was used to statistically analyze resulting data. Standard Laboratories, Inc. of Starkville, MS was contracted to conduct all microbial analyses. It was found that aqueous ozone was very effective in significantly reducing microbial loads on live catfish entering the plant. Finished catfish fillets washed in ozonated water showed significant reductions in total plate counts. Ozonation at the fillet machine could be beneficial. Utilizing aqueous ozone as a final wash after using soap and a chlorine sanitizer was of no benefit and actually removed the residual chlorine and led to increased plate counts. Gaseous ozone reduced odors in the offal room rapidly and effectively. Utilization of ozone for odor reductions will require ozone monitoring equipment that ensures employee safety.     

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Ozone in Ozone Laundering Systems

Three primary benefits (advantages) of properly designed and operated ozone laundering systems have been proven in successful commercial installations – microbiological kills/inactivation of all microorganisms found in linens to be laundered; economic cost savings and significant environmental benefits. Each of these benefits of ozone laundering is described and quantified in the Ozone Laundry Handbook by Rice et al. (2009 Rice, R.G., Cardis, D., Daniels, R., Tapp, C., DeBrum, M. and Watt, J. 2009. The Ozone Laundry Handbook, A Comprehensive Guide for the Proper Application of Ozone in the Commercial Laundry Industry, San Luis Obispo, CA, , USA: Published by ClearWater Tech, LLC.  [Google Scholar]). In this paper, two of these benefits, Cost Savings and Significant Environmental Benefits are discussed.     

Antibacterial Effect of Gaseous and Aqueous Ozone in Root Canals Infected by Enterococcus Faecalis

The present study evaluated the antibacterial effects of aqueous and gaseous ozone in human root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Infected root canals were divided into two control groups (saline, sodium hypochlorite) and three experimental groups (manual or ultrasonic technique of aqueous and, gaseous ozone). Disinfection procedures were performed, remaining microbial colonies were counted and data were evaluated. Sodium hypochlorite showed the highest antibacterial effect on root canals infected with Enteroccous faecalis. Moreover, aqueous ozone with ultrasonic technique appear to be more influential than aqueous ozone with manual technique and gaseous ozone.     

Influence of Ozone Application Methods on Efficacy of Ozone Decolorization of Pulp Mill Effluents

This study statistically examined the impacts of ozone application methods on the two representative types of pulp mill effluents. To facilitate statistical evaluation, the experiments were designed as paired block experimental series, and the pooled experimental errors in each block were used for t-test and ANOVA analysis.

Two different ozone application modes were investigated using two specially designed ozone reactor systems. System I consisted of a two-phased reactor which introduced the total amount of ozone to the wastewater in single instance with proper mixing. System II provided ozone to wastewater at a desired rate by controlling the flow and concentration of the ozone/oxygen gas mixture in a once-through flow mode.     

Applications of Ozone in Japan for Water and Wastewater Treatment

In Japan, ozone is used for potable water treatment, night soil and industrial wastewater treatment, and for offensive gas treatment at sewage and night soil treatment plants. This paper describes its implementation, and presents experimental findings of the combined ozone and ultraviolet radiation as a new ozone utilization technology.     

Some Ozone Applications in Seafood

The use of ozonized seawater to reduce and eliminate bacterial pathogens in mariculture facilities and to extend shelf life of marine food products is demonstrated. Consequent benefits of this treatment are also discussed. Laboratory and pilot experiments were conducted using ozone gas to reduce disease-producing Vibrio sp. bacteria at a shrimp (Litopenaeus vannameii) hatchery in Ecuador, South America. Pacific Ocean seawater was treated in a 1,540 L capacity fiberglass contact tower (5–7 min retention) with an ozone oxidant residual of 0.07 mg/L. Prior to ozone treatment, Vibrio determined by TCBS plating was too numerous to count, causing shrimp to die of disease (30 tanks of 13,000 L each). After treatment, Vibrio counts and shrimp disease were eliminated, ozonized seawater decreased the time required for normal molting of shrimp and the total growth cycle was reduced by three days versus control water. From June 1991 until September 1992, survival rates of larval shrimp were robust, routine antibiotic addition was reduced, and one additional growth cycle was realized. Ozonized ice (fresh water) was prepared in the Milford Laboratory CT, USA; Gloucester Food Tech Lab, MA, USA; and a field station (brine water) for sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in Homer, AK. USA. In these studies, squid (Loligo pealei) and commercially captured salmon demonstrated a reduction in spoilage and extension of shelf life of 3 to 5 days' time using ozonized ice. Bacteria associated with commercial ice-producing machines were reduced by 4 logs using ozone treatment. In addition, no flavor aberration was noted using ozonized ice.     

Effect of α-Tocopherol During In Vitro Ozonation of Methyl Linoleate: Its Implication in Ozone Therapy

Systemic ozone therapy is widely used as an oxidant therapy to treat many conditions and diseases. It is known that ozone therapy acts through a transient oxidative stress produced by lipid ozonation products. The convenience of supporting patients with antioxidants during systemic ozone therapy applications is now under discussion. We studied the reaction of linoleate (one of the main constituents of cellular membranes and plasma phospholipids) with ozone in presence or absence of α-tocopherol, in order to explore whether the combination of ozone and antioxidant has some effect on fatty acid ozonation products. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) was used for following the reaction between 4.8mol mmol of methyl linoleate and 2.08 or 4.32mmol of ozone, with addition of different amounts of α-tocopherol (0.10, 0.18, and 0.26μmol). Ozonide (δ=5.15ppm) and aldehydes (δ=9.63ppm and δ=9.74ppm) intensities from ¹H NMR signals markedly decreased with α-tocopherol addition. When αtocopherol is absent, the intensities from olefinic proton signals diminished with ozone concentration increment; however, with αtocopherol in the mixture a smaller decrement was achieved. No detectable signals were found with the ozonation of α-tocopherol without methyl linoleate in the reaction mixture. These results suggest that α-tocopherol reacts with those products released from the reaction of ozone with methyl linoleate. This fact points out that antioxidant supplementation during systemic ozone therapy (major and minor autohemotherapy, rectal insufflation, and so forth) can be detrimental toward achieving the needed transient oxidative stress responsible for biological activities.     

The Ozone Laundry Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Proper Application of Ozone in the Commercial Laundry Industry

Applications of ozone in commercial laundry systems began in the late 1980s–early 1990s. Early installations showed promise for ozone to save considerable energy over conventional (thermal) systems. However, inconsistent performances of ozone equipment of that period coupled with a lack of in-depth understanding of how ozone was performing hindered commercial acceptance of ozone. With continued study and testing, these early misunderstandings about ozone have been overcome, and today many thousands of commercial laundry systems are using ozone successfully in many parts of the world. For example, more than 2,000 ozone laundry systems are operating in commercial laundry systems in the USA and another 2,000 commercial ozone laundry systems in the United Kingdom alone! Based on proven performance data obtained from many of these successful applications of ozone in commercial laundry systems, the authors have developed an Ozone Laundry Handbook, intended to be a summation of current knowledge and a guide to the laundry owner/operator considering the use of ozone. The Handbook contains 10 chapters, including discussions of the economic, environmental and microbiological benefits of ozone in commercial laundries, a discussion of ozone technologies as they apply to laundry systems, a comparison of traditional vs ozone laundry formulations, methods of applying ozone for laundering, operator training and ozone safety, a discussion on facts and fallacies about ozone for laundering, and finally a chapter on the future of ozone for laundering. The Handbook also contains a Glossary of Ozone Terms, Indices, and an Index.