Ozone and Smog
On very hot summer days in most major US metropolitan areas there are periodic “Smog Alerts” that are usually announced as “Ozone Alerts” by the Media. Sometimes there are warnings that the very old and the very young should avoid going outdoors if the air quality is very poor.
These warnings create angst and confusion among users of ozone for recreational waters such as pools and spas. While these “Smog/Ozone Alerts” are very real and must be taken seriously, there is virtually no correlation between ozone levels in polluted air and ozone used as an antimicrobial water sanitizer.
“Photochemical smog (summer smog) is caused by the action of sunlight on a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen created mostly by automobile and industrial exhaust emissions. This smog contains secondary pollutants such as ozone, aldehydes and fine particles.” (EPA source: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/smog.asp)
Of these “secondary pollutants”, ozone (as an indicator) is singled out as it is easily and accurately monitored, and directly proportional to overall smog levels. Thus “SMOG” and “Ozone” alerts have become synonymous. The process of using “manufactured” ozone, dissolved in water as an aqueous antimicrobial sanitizer, has no effect on this process. Once dissolved in water, ozone will not drift back into the surrounding air at measureable levels.
In the United States, ozone has been used since 1982 to sanitize bottled water. Ozone has been used in pools and spas for decades with great success at attaining healthy water quality and reducing the use of traditional halogenated chemicals (chlorine).
Learn More About Ozone:
The DEL Ozone Aquatics Program is Easy as 1-2-3:
1. Request a quote. We’ll size your system according to MAHC guidelines and send a quote right away.
2. We’ll deliver and commission your pre-installed system within one to two months.
3. Begin to enjoy the improvements to your water quality and your facility right away.
