Ozone treatment is a highly effective method for eliminating unpleasant odors, for example. In this process, an ozone generator converts oxygen into ozone (active oxygen, O₃). The result of this molecular process is odorless air. During an ozone treatment, the room is sealed airtight. An ozone generator is then turned on to produce ozone for several hours; the exact duration varies depending on the job. Depending on the ventilation options and the size of the treated room, the room can be re-entered without protective gear after 15 to 90 minutes.
Ozone is the O₃ molecule in gaseous form, and it is produced by the ozone generator by converting three oxygen molecules from the air into two ozone molecules. When ozone comes into contact with odors or organic substances, it reacts with them, causing the odor-causing substance to oxidize and thus be neutralized. The odor-causing substance is therefore effectively eliminated.
Many organic substances are also oxidized and are therefore destroyed. This applies not only to bacteria, mold, and viruses, but also to our own lungs and those of any animals present. Therefore, whenever ozone is present, the room must not be entered without compressed air; pets must be temporarily relocated elsewhere, and plants should also be moved outside the room if possible.
Ozone has a distinctive odor. It is often described as the smell after a thunderstorm. The term “ozone” also refers to this; it comes from the Greek word “ozein,” which means “to smell.” Ozone is a reactive gas and will react with itself. So, once the ozone generator is turned off, the room will naturally become ozone-free again, but ventilation speeds up the process by refreshing the air. There is therefore no need to worry about residual ozone after a treatment.
When a room still has an odor despite thorough cleaning, and the cause has been addressed (for example, smoking has stopped, the leak that caused the mold has been repaired, and the broken, leaking freezer—including its contents—has been removed), it may be necessary to go beyond professional cleaning and take a more thorough approach that actually breaks down the odor, including within the walls and ceiling.
Sometimes people suggest painting the walls and ceiling, but it turns out that odors often seep through after a while if they haven’t been properly removed. An ozone treatment to break down these odors before painting ensures that the smell is gone for good.
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