Effectiveness of Gaseous Ozone as a Disinfectant for Nosocomial Pathogens

Abstract

Introduction: Ozone is a potent oxidizing agent and is characterized as a highly rapid and effective microbicide. This review is aimed to discuss ozone administration and disinfection strategies in both air and surface applications.
Methods: A literature review is one of the methods used in evidence-based practice that includes the analysis of studies relevant to decision-making and improving care practices. A literature search was conducted through October 2022 without restrictions concerning language or period of publication in the following databases: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and COCHRANE using the descriptors ozone and sterilization from the Medical Subject Headings Section (MeSH). Only primary studies addressing the use of O3 as a sterilizing agent for health products were included. These were selected by the title and abstract and only those that met the inclusion criteria were fully read. Papers identified in more than one database were analyzed only once.
Results: Recent studies have also demonstrated equal efficacy of ozone treatments of samples in a wet and dry state. Continual monitoring of the ozone concentration in the operator area confirmed that no ozone toxicity. Given the urgent need for new processing methods and the continuous development of new technology added to the large diversity of shapes and raw materials, the O3 gas is, according to the analyses, a promising method. In order to quickly reduce the ozone level to a safe level for humans working in the room after ozonation, an amount of fresh air is added to the room through a filter as a substitute for the highly ozonated air.

Conclusions: Ozone is considered to be an environment-friendly disinfectant that leaves no residual or by-products after the disinfecting process. Ozone with concentration higher than 1 ppm has adverse effects on human health and the use of ozone for air disinfections generally is not recommended if people are around. Nonetheless, further research of an experimental nature is required to gather evidence concerning its possibilities and limitations.