Date sent: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 18:07:40 -0400 From: Chris Dupres <chris_dup...@compuserve.com> Subject: Ozone... To: emc-pstc <emc-p...@ieee.org> Send reply to: Chris Dupres <chris_dup...@compuserve.com>
Chris - I do not claim to be an expert in this, so please take the following with a big grain of doubt. > Good PSTC People. > > Is Ozone a toxin? I don't know about the classifications of toxins per se; however, in high concentrations, ozone (O3, while oxygen is 02) is not at all heathy. It is a very strong oxidant (stronger than oxygen), and can damage tissues. It is one of the components of smog. Having said that, ozone in the upper atmosphere is what acts as a protective layer around the Earth, in part because of its instability. > Many years ago I had a factory inspector threaten to close down some High > Voltage test equipment because there was too much Ozone being produced. > Lately we have had bad vibes about a Xerox copier making too much Ozone > and threats of ill health etc. to operators. > > So my questions are: > Are there any legal limits on the production of Ozone? > Is it dangerous/what are the physiological effects? See above - "oxidant". > Where can I find out about it? > Why do they sell Ozone generators for use in kitchens and bathrooms, does > it get rid of smells etc.? > Why do I get a headache and a tight chest when > I'm around this stuff? Too much ozone ==> less oxygen in the lungs, as I understand it. Ozone can trigger asthma attack in some people. Exposure to oxidants is thought to cause the development of free radicals in the tissues and these, over the lond term, are said to cause cancer and tissue degeneration. So, take your beta carotene... > Funny stuff, Ozone. Sure makes screws go rusty very quickly! > Any information anybody wants to share? > > Chris Dupres > Surrey, UK. My $.02 worth Kate Kathy MacLean President APREL Laboratories -Research-Consulting-Training-Certification Testing- -Specialists in Electromagnetics, Acoustics, Wireless Telecommunications, and SAR- 51 Spectrum Way, Nepean, Ontario, Canada K2R 1E6 (613) 820-2730 (613) 820-4161(fax) http://www.aprel.com --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, j...@gwmail.monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators).
