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 should not average more than 0.1 ppm over an 8-hr day, and should not exceed that value by more than a factor of 2 or 3 during the exposure." [1]

Article Contents

• TESTS for OZONE in INDOOR AIR
• TEST / MONITOR for OZONE EXPOSURE: BADGES
• TEST / MONITOR OZONE EXPOSURE: DETECTION EQUIPMENT

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 we 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

Shown here: 2B Technologies portable ozone level monitor, Model 108-L Ozone Monitor™ cited & described below.

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).

2B's ozone monitors make use of UV-based ozone detection to monitor ozone levels at various concentrations in air, taking advantage of the fact that ozone molecules absorb light at in a narrow band around 254nm coincident with a low-pressure mercury lamp or light source.

A cogent explanation of theory and practice in ozone detection using this method is provided by the company in both online videos and in the 2B Technologies ozone monitor operating manual(s) cited below.

Handheld ozone gas level monitors range in price from around $300. U.S. to $3000. and of course vary in intended use.

• 2B Technologies, 2100 Central Avenue Suite 105, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA, Website: https://twobtech.com/ Tel: (303) 273-0559, produces Ozone detection equipment, Email: sales@twobtech.com
  
  The company provides about twenty different models and version of air pollution measurement equipment (as of April 2020-Ed.).
  [question on ozone detection in human urine, pending 12/19/11 - ed.]
  
  OZONE MOINTOR MODEL 108-L OPERATION MANUAL [PDF] retrieved 2020/04/22 original source: https://twobtech.com/docs/manuals/model_108-L_revD-6.pdf
  This ozone monitor has a limit of detection of 3.0 ppb of ozone and is accurate to 2% of the reading.
  Website excerpt:
  
  The Model 108-L provides accurate measurements of ozone in air over a wide dynamic range extending from a few parts-per-billion by volume (ppb) to an upper limit of 100 parts-per-million (ppm) based on the well-established technique of absorption of ultraviolet light at 254 nm.
  
  The Model 108-L is designed for integration in the user’s ozone system and makes use of the ozone system’s pump to supply the air sample.
  
  The Model 108-L Ozone Monitor is lightweight (2.0 lb, 0.89 kg), has a low power consumption (~2 watt) relative to conventional instruments, and requires minimal maintenance, making it well suited for monitoring of ambient ozone and monitoring/control of ozone in industrial settings. The Model 108-L is ideal for the following applications: ​
  
  Replacement of HMOS and Electrochemical sensors in an existing ozone system ​
  
  Monitoring ozone exposure of individuals in the workplace ​
  
  Monitoring and control of ozone in industrial settings ​
  
  Incorporation into ozone disinfection systems ​
  
  Long-term monitoring at remote locations where power is highly limited

• 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. Website: http://www.cerexms.com
  
  Cerex provides various air quality and pollutant monitoring equipment including the Cerex UV2000 Series of analyzers cited here.
  
  CEREX UV3000C MULTI-GAS ANALYZER BROCHURE [PDF] retrieved 2020/04/22 original source: http://cerexms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Brochure_Cerex_UV3000C.pdf
  
  This analyzer detects 17 different gases including (some examples, with detection limits using a with 8.5 meter cell.)
  
  Ammonia 24 ppb
  Formaldehyde 376 ppb
  Mercury 12 ppb
  Ozone 235 ppb
  Sulfur Dioxide 38 ppb
  
  Website excerpt:
  The Cerex UV 3000C is a fixed mount multi-gas analyzer with internal sample cell. Available with an integrated twelve port multiplexer, the UV 3000C offers sequential zone monitoring of up to ten locations for leak detection, process monitoring or indoor air quality monitoring.
  
  Two ports are generally reserved for operator specified quality assurance audits. Continuous parallel sample acquisition reduces latency and for many applications the sample acquisition cycle is one minute in duration.
  
  Unlike competing technologies, UVDOAS is unaffected by humidity, cannot be poisoned, and offers detection limits specified by the operator for the application.
  
  Capable of very low ppb level detection of common refinery gases, solvents, and combustion gases, the UV 3000C represents added value over competing technology in terms of both cost and performance.
  

...

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