EPRI Explores Ozone's Health, Environmental Benefits

Ozone, often cited as an air pollutant, is rapidly becoming an important industrial processing solution, reports the Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, Calif. In addition to uses as as a disinfectant, bleach, and detergent substitute, ozone has been recommended for a "generally recognized as safe" status in food processing, says EPRI. It could be used as a gas to disinfect a room for food storage, or be added to water to wash food. A current EPRI study is investigating the potential for using ozone to control insect infestation during food storage. In addition to treating microbial contaminants, such as escherichia coli, salmonella, giardia, and chlorine-resistant crytosporidium, ozone can also be used as an oxidant. For example, a water treatment system in Orlando is using ozone to oxidize hydrogen sulfide, which causes a rotten-egg taste and aroma.