Test for Ozone in Buildings: how, when, where, why

How to Test for Ozone Contamination, Ozone Damage & for for Related Ozone-Related Outgassing Hazards Due to Oxidized Materials
Questions & Answers about Tests for Ozone in Indoor Air using gas pumps and colorimetric gas detection tubes, badges, or test equipment
References

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Ozone detection & testing methods: this article discusses methods for ozone testing in indoor air to determine the presence of ozone & to assess the level of exposure to ozone gas. We compare different ozone test approaches using pumps and sampling tubes, badges, or electronic equipment. Our photographs on this page illustrate different ozone test tools & equipment.

How to Test for Ozone Contamination, Ozone Damage & for for Related Ozone-Related Outgassing Hazards Due to Oxidized Materials

"Ozone is a highly toxic gas but even highly toxic substances can be encountered safely. The main concern with this material is that concentrations to which people are exposed do not average more than 0.1 ppm over an 8-hr day, and do not exceed that value by more than a factor of 2 or 3 during the exposure." [1]

Because ozone is highly volatile and is not likely to remain present in a building unless an ozone generating device is operating, we do not normally include ozone testing in building IAQ screening measurements for gases.

In exceptional circumstances we may test an indoor environment for ozone levels. Normally I do not, as this gas is so volatile and reactive that it would not be expected to remain in an environment.

However, the byproducts of using ozone gas at high concentrations and durations indoors (for example during a "mold remediation using ozone" may oxidize and cause outgassing from other building products.

Tests for Ozone in Indoor Air using gas pumps and colorimetric gas detection tubes

When circumstances warrant, I would screen for a variety of common outgassing products such as formaldehyde, benzene, formic acid and other acid gases, toluene and related gases. Our tests for these gases are described in our clients' sampling plan. I also may apply one or more of the three sets of multiple-gas hazard screen systems provided by Drager for the fire investigator profession.

At high or low levels (various test sensitivities are available) produced by popular indoor air "purifiers" and by commercial treatments for odors is a highly-reactive oxidizing gas which is dangerous to lung tissue itself.

Ozone gas may react with other building materials (as an oxidant) to produce secondary outgassing products which are also irritants or potentially unsafe.

Ozone is highly reactive and volatile and may not be present in a building long after it was applied. Choice of use or omit this screen depends on the circumstances of the particular investigation.

As a regular practice I include this screen for ozone where such equipment is in use (to detect dangerous current levels) or where commercial equipment has been very recently in use. Sensidyne™ #182SB 2.5-100 ppm / #182U 0.025 - 3.0 ppm.

Benzene 0.5/a: If there is a particular concern for Benzene I perform a test for this substance. I select a sampling tube which is not Benzene specific in order to also screen for other aromatic hydrocarbons including toluene, xylene (more likely to be in carpet out gassing than benzene) and ethel benzene. Our test sensitivity is 0.4 to 10 ppm (40 to 2 strokes). +/30%.

Formaldehyde 0.2/a: because this gas is produced at virtually all house fires and because it is a well-known respiratory and eye irritant produced by many building materials even without combustion effects, if there are owner/occupant complaints, this test may be performed using the Gastec pump and tubes produced by Sensidyne or by the Draeger accuro pump and their tubes. Sensitivity 0.2 to 2.5 / 0.5 to 5 ppm at 10 / 20 strokes. Alternative: Sensidyne ™ Gastec™ 91/L 0.1-40.0 ppm

Formic acid 1/a: because this gas screen addresses acid gases which can be expected to be produced by fire, heat, or oxidation (such as from ozone treatment) in commercial and residential properties it is an important screen for this topic. Our test sensitivity 1 to 15 ppm, 20 strokes.

Toluene 5/b: because this is one of the most sensitive gas screens available to address gases which can be expected to be produced by fire, heat, or oxidation (such as from ozone treatment) in commercial and residential properties it is an important screen for this application. Toluol is a common contaminant produced by oxidized or burning carpets. Our test sensitivity 5-300 ppm

Testing or monitoring for ozone exposure using badges

Several companies provide low-cost badge systems for monitoring the exposure of workers (or others) to ozone gas.

In our OPINION badges for ozone monitoring, while entirely suitable for an industrial environment, are unlikely to be useful for consumers or building owners who are concerned with the effects of short-term use of ozone in buildings or other enclosed spaces, such as services marketed for building deodorizing or mold "remediation".

OPINION: It might be possible to use an ozone detection badge to examine the actual ozone level in an enclosed space where an ozone generator or ozone "air purifier" is in use, but we warn that drawing any conclusions about the actual ozone exposure of building occupants in such cases will be confounded by difficulties in constructing and maintaining a controlled environment.

Watch out: ozone detection badges may have a limited shelf life and may require storage in a refrigerator prior to use.

Ozone exposure monitoring badges range in price from about $10. U.S. to $130. U.S.

[15] Ozone Solutions, Inc., 451 Black Forest Rd., Hull, IA 51239 USA, Tel: 888 892-0303

Testing or monitoring for ozone exposure using ozone monitoring or ozone detection equipment

Several companies offer electronic instruments used for monitoring ozone gases in air or water as well as equipment that may be used to monitor for related gases or contaminants. Typically these machines measure the level of ozone in parts per billion in air (ppb of ozone in air). Handheld ozone gas level monitors range in price from around $300. U.S. to $3000. and of course vary in intended use.

[13] 2B Technologies, 2100 Central Avenue Suite 105, Boulder, Colorado 80301 Tel: (303) 273-0559, produces Ozone detection equipment, [question on ozone detection in human urine, pending 12/19/11 - ed.]
[14] Cerex Monitoring Solutions, LLC., 1816 Briarwood Industrial Ct., Suite D, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 Tel: 678-570-6662 Email: sales@cerexms.com. Cerex has offices in many countries worldwide.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

[13] 2B Technologies, 2100 Central Avenue Suite 105, Boulder, Colorado 80301 Tel: (303) 273-0559, produces Ozone detection equipment

[1] Ozone exposure limits: NIOSH REL: C 0.1 ppm (0.2 mg/m³); OSHA PEL: TWA 0.1 ppm (0.2 mg/m³)

[2] Ozone and other contaminants discussed, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dardata/airmon/parametertextpage1.htm
[3] Indoor air, http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/indoor/indoor.htm New York State Department of Health
[4]Environmental Toxins, Yale New Haven Health, http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/en-us/illnessconditions/topic.asp?hwid=support/zp3217
[5] Development of a Method for Measuring Single-Pass Bioaerosol Removal Efficiencies of a Room Air Cleaner, page 223 Karin K. Foarde, James T. Hanley, David S. Ensor, and Peter Roessler http://www.aaar.org/ast_abst/v30n0212.htm
Methodology to Perform Clean Air Delivery Rate Type Determinations with Microbiological Aerosols, page 235 Karin K. Foarde, Eric A. Myers, James T. Hanley, David S. Ensor, and Peter F. Roessler
[6]Ozone is not a substitute for mold removal and its reaction with building materials, but applied by an expert may help deodorize, a cleaning article by Jim Holland - http://www.icsmag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,3035,118663,00.html
[7] Ozone as an oxidant, a few references from the Canadian Government
- http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/air_quality/publications/ground_level_ozone/part3/ch7_references.htm
- Bogaty, H., Campbell K. S., and Appel, W. D. (1952). The oxidation of cellulose by ozone in small concentrations. Text. Res. J. 22: 81-83.
- Bradley, C. E., and Haagen-Smit, A. J. (1951). The application of rubber in the quantitative determination of ozone. Rubber Chem. Technol. 24: 750-755.
- Cass, G. R., Nazaroff, W. W., Tiller, C., and Whitmore, P. M. (1991). Protection of works of art from damage due to atmospheric ozone. Atmospheric Environment, 25A( 2): 441-451.
- Druzik, J. R. (1985). Ozone: The Intractable Problem. We stern Association for Art Conservation newsletter. Http://sul-server-2.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn07/wn07-3/wn07-302.html (vol.7, no. 3)
[8] "Health Hazards of some Gases" Jack E. Peterson, P.E., CIH, Ph.D., May, 1987
[9] Ozone Gas Hazards Description in our article "Effects of Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine Arsenic Bromine Carbon Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Hydride Ozone & others"
[10] "Laundry Ozone FAQ", Water Energy Laundry Consulting, 9741 Tappenbeck, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77055 Tel: (713) 464-2580; web search 12/17/11, original source laundryconsulting.com/solution/
benefits-of-ozone-laundry/ozone-laundry-faq/
[11] "Ozone acting on human blood yields a hormetic dose-response relationship", Velio A Bocci, Iacopo Zanardi,& Valter Travagli, J Transl Med. 2011; 9: 66. Published online 2011 May 17. doi: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-66 - Quoting the article abstract:
The aim of this paper is to analyze why ozone can be medically useful when it dissolves in blood or in other biological fluids. In reviewing a number of clinical studies performed in Peripheral Arterial Diseases (PAD) during the last decades, it has been possible to confirm the long-held view that the inverted U-shaped curve, typical of the hormesis concept, is suitable to represent the therapeutic activity exerted by the so-called ozonated autohemotherapy. The quantitative and qualitative aspects of human blood ozonation have been also critically reviewed in regard to the biological, therapeutic and safety of ozone. It is hoped that this gas, although toxic for the pulmonary system during prolonged inhalation, will be soon recognized as a useful agent in oxidative-stress related diseases, joining other medical gases recently thought to be of therapeutic importance. Finally, the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of ozone as well as the obtained results in PAD may encourage clinical scientists to evaluate ozone therapy in vascular diseases in comparison to the current therapies.
[12] Petras T, Siems W, Grune T. 4-Hydroxynonenal is degraded to mercapturic acid conjugate in rat kidney. Free Radic Biol Med. 1995;19(5):685–688. doi: 10.1016/0891-5849(95)00060-B
Sampling for gases in air such as VOC's, MVOC's, toxic chemicals, and combustion products.
Unfortunately no single test or tool can detect all possible building contaminants. We use methods and equipment which can test for common contaminants. If the identity of a specific contaminant is known in advance we can also test for a very large number of specific contaminant gases in buildings.
We use gas sampling equipment provided by the two most reliable companies in the world, Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro bellows pump, the Gastec cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec or Sensidyne, and we also use Sensidyne's Gilian air pump. For broad screening for combustibles and a number of other toxic gases and for leak tracing we also use Amprobe's Tif8850. All of these instruments, their applications, and sensitivities (minimum detectable limits) for specific gases are described in our Gas Sampling Plan online document.

[16] U.S. Army Field Manual FM-8-285-Noxious_Chemicals discusses Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Hazards caused by fire
Kansas State University, department of plant pathology, extension plant pathology web page on wheat rust fungus: see http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Wheat/Wheat%20Leaf%20Rust.asp
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [Copy on file at /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
US EPA - Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo [Copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Moho_Guia_sp.pdf - en Espanol

"IgG Food Allergy Testing by ELISA/EIA, What do they really tell us?" Sheryl B. Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, Clinical Laboratory Director, Bastyr University Natural Health Clinic - ELISA testing accuracy: Here is an example of Miller's critique of ELISA http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/282.cfm - Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
The critique included in that article raises compelling questions about IgG testing assays, which prompts our interest in actually screening for the presence of high levels of particles that could carry allergens - dog dander or cat dander in the case at hand.
http://www.tldp.com/issue/174/IgG%20Food%20Allergy.html contains similar criticism in another venue but interestingly by the same author, Sheryl Miller. Sheryl Miller, MT (ASCP), PhD, is an Immunologist and Associate Professor of Basic and Medical Sciences at Bastyr University in Bothell, Washington. She is also the Laboratory Director of the Bastyr Natural Health Clinic Laboratory.
Allergens: Testing for the level of exposure to animal allergens is discussed at http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/animalallergy/diagnosis.shtml (lab animal exposure study is interesting because it involves a higher exposure level in some cases
Allergens: WebMD discusses allergy tests for humans at webmd.com/allergies/allergy-tests
Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., GS deHoog, J Guarro, J Gene, & MJ Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 2000, ISBN 90-70351-43-9 (you can buy this book at Amazon) - The Atlas of Clinical Fungi is also available on CD ROM
Atlas of Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms and health, physical, neurological, psychological, and other complaint which people suspect may be mold or building-related.
Atlas of Indoor Mold, Online Clinical Mold Atlas, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
"Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
"Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens," Patricia Donald, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Lewis Jett
Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
"Management of Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica, in Greenhouse Peppers," Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, British Columbia - Original source: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/peppermildew.htm
Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English) (buy at Amazon)
Mycology, Fundamentals of Diagnostic, Fran Fisher, Norma B. Cook, W.B. Saunders Co. 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6 (buy this book at Amazon)
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Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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