Re: Ozone for killing mold

[Guest guest]

Ken,

1. Common indoor molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, etc.)

are NOT wood-destroying organisms (many cannot even digest cellulose),

so they do not consume wood in our houses. Even Stachybotrys, which can

be cellulolytic, does not destroy wood; these molds are called

microfungi. Brown rots and white rots (mushroom-forming fungi or

macrofungi) destroy wood, digesting either cellulose, lignin or both..

Though there are outdoor (and indoor) spores in the air, mold is not all

around us and in every room (unless in a very problem environment).

4. As Jim Holland noted in a previous e-mail, FDA-approved ozone

generators do NOT inhibit the growth of fungi or even kill spores. On

the other hand, many ozone generators create concentrations of ozone

above the FDA limit of .05 ppm. (Anyone with an ionizer or ozone

generator concerned about ozone concentrations can purchase a two-test

kit from IQAir for about $8.)

5. Filtration is the most effective means to remove aerosolized

particulates.

6. Air purifiers may remove spores from the air, but they do NOT control

mold. As you noted, the only way to control mold growth is to control

relative humidity and water. It is foolish to spend money on any type of

air purifier without eliminating the obvious sources of spores first.

Jeff May

Author, " The Mold Survival Guide "

s Hopkins University Press

>1. Our focus should first be protecting ourselves from the effects of

mold spores... and secondly protecting out home from mold... We must

remember that mold to grow must consume cellulose thus mold in a home is

slowly consuming the wood from which the house was built.. Mold is all

around us and in every room... What affects us is a high concentration

of mold spores; at a certain level we become affected... Good

ventilation and controlled humidity

are important... A sealed building invites mold development.

>4. Ozone generators can inhibit growth of fungi/mold.. The mustiness

of a mildewed room can be controlled/eliminated by ozone generators..

>5. Ion generators electrify the air and make it difficult for mold

spores to float thus making it somewhat difficult for the eyes and nose

to be troubled by the " spore dust " ..

>6. Some air purifiers work and work well at controlling mold but many

do not.... I'd only buy one with a satisfaction guarantee where you get

your money back within 20 days if it doesn't work to your

satisfaction...

> Gibala

[Guest guest]

Ken,

1. Common indoor molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, etc.)

are NOT wood-destroying organisms (many cannot even digest cellulose),

so they do not consume wood in our houses. Even Stachybotrys, which can

be cellulolytic, does not destroy wood; these molds are called

microfungi. Brown rots and white rots (mushroom-forming fungi or

macrofungi) destroy wood, digesting either cellulose, lignin or both..

Though there are outdoor (and indoor) spores in the air, mold is not all

around us and in every room (unless in a very problem environment).

4. As Jim Holland noted in a previous e-mail, FDA-approved ozone

generators do NOT inhibit the growth of fungi or even kill spores. On

the other hand, many ozone generators create concentrations of ozone

above the FDA limit of .05 ppm. (Anyone with an ionizer or ozone

generator concerned about ozone concentrations can purchase a two-test

kit from IQAir for about $8.)

5. Filtration is the most effective means to remove aerosolized

particulates.

6. Air purifiers may remove spores from the air, but they do NOT control

mold. As you noted, the only way to control mold growth is to control

relative humidity and water. It is foolish to spend money on any type of

air purifier without eliminating the obvious sources of spores first.

Jeff May

Author, " The Mold Survival Guide "

s Hopkins University Press

>1. Our focus should first be protecting ourselves from the effects of

mold spores... and secondly protecting out home from mold... We must

remember that mold to grow must consume cellulose thus mold in a home is

slowly consuming the wood from which the house was built.. Mold is all

around us and in every room... What affects us is a high concentration

of mold spores; at a certain level we become affected... Good

ventilation and controlled humidity

are important... A sealed building invites mold development.

>4. Ozone generators can inhibit growth of fungi/mold.. The mustiness

of a mildewed room can be controlled/eliminated by ozone generators..

>5. Ion generators electrify the air and make it difficult for mold

spores to float thus making it somewhat difficult for the eyes and nose

to be troubled by the " spore dust " ..

>6. Some air purifiers work and work well at controlling mold but many

do not.... I'd only buy one with a satisfaction guarantee where you get

your money back within 20 days if it doesn't work to your

satisfaction...

> Gibala

[Guest guest]

I find this discussion of ozone disturbing. Numerous references have

verified the hazards of ozone summarized in the EPA web page. Contrary to

the claim made by Ken in an earlier letter that nitrogen oxides are the

primary irritant, ozone by itself is a very serious primary irritant. It

also may contribute to formation of nitrogen oxides. Another statement he

made is that people get a warning in their nose before any damage is done.

Experience shows otherwise. My previous employer is the world's largest user

of ozone for industrial chemical oxidation. Workers actually liked the smell

of ozone, and did not shy away from it until they were educated to its level

of hazard. Continued exposure lessens the victims perception of its odor,

allowing exposure to damaging levels of this dangerous material. Our company

did not rely on workers noses to detect leaks, but on electronic sensors to

guarantee a safe working environment.

A side of ozone not yet discussed is what else it can make. Ozone doesn't

just react with mold, but with most organic materials, including carpet and

draperies, shortening their useful life. But it reacts most readily with

unsaturated organics, such as those in pine cleaners, creating aldehydes

which are also irritating and possibly allergenic.

Any use of ozone should be short term only.

Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 17:47:10 -0400

From: " kengib . " <jkg4902@...>

Subject: Re: ^Ozone for killing mold

I understand your predicament....

We all have different degrees of tolerance to various agents...

While you may have a negative reaction to any smell of ozone others do

not...

But don't you agree the odor at the doctor's office you find repulsive must

be found necessary by the doctor??

I'd guess if you asked the doctor he might agree with you that it is a

repulsive smell but the smell tells him there is an adequate degree of

sterilization at his facility...

All is not peaches and cream!

My home air purifier does put out a tad of ozone but if anyone becomes the

slightest bit annoyed with it I turn on a ceiling fan and it disappears...

Ozone has a very short life indoors as it ceases to be ozone when it

collides with anything...

kg

_________________________________________________________________

Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to

School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx

[Guest guest]

I find this discussion of ozone disturbing. Numerous references have

verified the hazards of ozone summarized in the EPA web page. Contrary to

the claim made by Ken in an earlier letter that nitrogen oxides are the

primary irritant, ozone by itself is a very serious primary irritant. It

also may contribute to formation of nitrogen oxides. Another statement he

made is that people get a warning in their nose before any damage is done.

Experience shows otherwise. My previous employer is the world's largest user

of ozone for industrial chemical oxidation. Workers actually liked the smell

of ozone, and did not shy away from it until they were educated to its level

of hazard. Continued exposure lessens the victims perception of its odor,

allowing exposure to damaging levels of this dangerous material. Our company

did not rely on workers noses to detect leaks, but on electronic sensors to

guarantee a safe working environment.

A side of ozone not yet discussed is what else it can make. Ozone doesn't

just react with mold, but with most organic materials, including carpet and

draperies, shortening their useful life. But it reacts most readily with

unsaturated organics, such as those in pine cleaners, creating aldehydes

which are also irritating and possibly allergenic.

Any use of ozone should be short term only.

Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 17:47:10 -0400

From: " kengib . " <jkg4902@...>

Subject: Re: ^Ozone for killing mold

I understand your predicament....

We all have different degrees of tolerance to various agents...

While you may have a negative reaction to any smell of ozone others do

not...

But don't you agree the odor at the doctor's office you find repulsive must

be found necessary by the doctor??

I'd guess if you asked the doctor he might agree with you that it is a

repulsive smell but the smell tells him there is an adequate degree of

sterilization at his facility...

All is not peaches and cream!

My home air purifier does put out a tad of ozone but if anyone becomes the

slightest bit annoyed with it I turn on a ceiling fan and it disappears...

Ozone has a very short life indoors as it ceases to be ozone when it

collides with anything...

kg

_________________________________________________________________

Get ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to

School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx

[Guest guest]

Gil,

Excellent response and thanks for bringing this back to reality. Use

of ozone in water and other liquids is not the same as breathing it.

Blue haze over forested mountains is not the same as blue sky. If

ozone is as natural, prevalent and effective at killing micro-

organisms as some claim, why would we need these ozone generating

contraptions? We would already live in a sterile world.

My only other comment is an addition to your last statement that any

use of ozone should be short term. I'd add the words " and never in

the breathing zone of people or other living things. "

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

---------

> I find this discussion of ozone disturbing. Numerous references have

>

> verified the hazards of ozone summarized in the EPA web page. Contrary

> to the claim made by Ken in an earlier letter that nitrogen oxides are

> the primary irritant, ozone by itself is a very serious primary

> irritant. It also may contribute to formation of nitrogen oxides.

> Another statement he made is that people get a warning in their nose

> before any damage is done. Experience shows otherwise. My previous

> employer is the world's largest user of ozone for industrial chemical

> oxidation. Workers actually liked the smell of ozone, and did not shy

> away from it until they were educated to its level of hazard.

> Continued exposure lessens the victims perception of its odor,

> allowing exposure to damaging levels of this dangerous material. Our

> company did not rely on workers noses to detect leaks, but on

> electronic sensors to guarantee a safe working environment.

>

> A side of ozone not yet discussed is what else it can make. Ozone

> doesn't

> just react with mold, but with most organic materials, including

> carpet and draperies, shortening their useful life. But it reacts most

> readily with unsaturated organics, such as those in pine cleaners,

> creating aldehydes which are also irritating and possibly allergenic.

>

> Any use of ozone should be short term only.

>

> Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 17:47:10 -0400

> From: " kengib . " <jkg4902@...>

> Subject: Re: ^Ozone for killing mold

>

>

> I understand your predicament....

>

> We all have different degrees of tolerance to various agents...

>

> While you may have a negative reaction to any smell of ozone others do

> not...

>

> But don't you agree the odor at the doctor's office you find repulsive

> must be found necessary by the doctor??

>

> I'd guess if you asked the doctor he might agree with you that it is a

> repulsive smell but the smell tells him there is an adequate degree of

> sterilization at his facility...

>

> All is not peaches and cream!

>

> My home air purifier does put out a tad of ozone but if anyone becomes

> the slightest bit annoyed with it I turn on a ceiling fan and it

> disappears... Ozone has a very short life indoors as it ceases to be

> ozone when it collides with anything...

>

> kg

>

> _________________________________________________________________ Get

> ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to

> School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gil,

Excellent response and thanks for bringing this back to reality. Use

of ozone in water and other liquids is not the same as breathing it.

Blue haze over forested mountains is not the same as blue sky. If

ozone is as natural, prevalent and effective at killing micro-

organisms as some claim, why would we need these ozone generating

contraptions? We would already live in a sterile world.

My only other comment is an addition to your last statement that any

use of ozone should be short term. I'd add the words " and never in

the breathing zone of people or other living things. "

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

---------

> I find this discussion of ozone disturbing. Numerous references have

>

> verified the hazards of ozone summarized in the EPA web page. Contrary

> to the claim made by Ken in an earlier letter that nitrogen oxides are

> the primary irritant, ozone by itself is a very serious primary

> irritant. It also may contribute to formation of nitrogen oxides.

> Another statement he made is that people get a warning in their nose

> before any damage is done. Experience shows otherwise. My previous

> employer is the world's largest user of ozone for industrial chemical

> oxidation. Workers actually liked the smell of ozone, and did not shy

> away from it until they were educated to its level of hazard.

> Continued exposure lessens the victims perception of its odor,

> allowing exposure to damaging levels of this dangerous material. Our

> company did not rely on workers noses to detect leaks, but on

> electronic sensors to guarantee a safe working environment.

>

> A side of ozone not yet discussed is what else it can make. Ozone

> doesn't

> just react with mold, but with most organic materials, including

> carpet and draperies, shortening their useful life. But it reacts most

> readily with unsaturated organics, such as those in pine cleaners,

> creating aldehydes which are also irritating and possibly allergenic.

>

> Any use of ozone should be short term only.

>

> Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 17:47:10 -0400

> From: " kengib . " <jkg4902@...>

> Subject: Re: ^Ozone for killing mold

>

>

> I understand your predicament....

>

> We all have different degrees of tolerance to various agents...

>

> While you may have a negative reaction to any smell of ozone others do

> not...

>

> But don't you agree the odor at the doctor's office you find repulsive

> must be found necessary by the doctor??

>

> I'd guess if you asked the doctor he might agree with you that it is a

> repulsive smell but the smell tells him there is an adequate degree of

> sterilization at his facility...

>

> All is not peaches and cream!

>

> My home air purifier does put out a tad of ozone but if anyone becomes

> the slightest bit annoyed with it I turn on a ceiling fan and it

> disappears... Ozone has a very short life indoors as it ceases to be

> ozone when it collides with anything...

>

> kg

>

> _________________________________________________________________ Get

> ready for school! Find articles, homework help and more in the Back to

> School Guide! http://special.msn.com/network/04backtoschool.armx

>

>

>

>