Hearth Hazards of Ozone

Hearth Hazards of Ozone

Detection levels

Ozone can be detected in air by its distinctive odor at concentrations of about 0.02 ppm.

Although each nose varies, olfactory fatigue occurs quickly. As a result, DO NOT RELY on ODOR AS A WAARNING OF HIGHT OZONE CONCENTRATIONS.
The permissible exposure level or time weighted concentration for ozone to which workers may be exposed is 0.1 ppm averaged over 8 hours, 5 days a week. The short term exposure limit is 0.3 ppm average over 15 minutes.
The concentration of 10 ppm ozone in air is generally accepted as immediately Dangerous to Life or Health.

EFFECTS on HUMANS
Ozone acts as a primary irritant, affecting mainly the eyes. upper respiratory tract and the lungs.

Onset of pulmonary edema , fluid buidup in the lungs, may be delayed for a few hours after exposure.
Inhaling ozone at concentrations of 50 ppm for 30 minutes can be fatal.
Many people exposed to airborne ozone rapidly develop a headache, which often disappears after a few minutes in fresh air.
Reduction in lung function due to scar tussue forming in the lung may occur due to long-term exposure to ozone at concentrations above 0.2 ppm, or a single high exposure.
Although medical studies show  no evidence of ozone causing cancer or lung allergies or harming the unborn, there is some evidence that the oxidizing power of ozone could lead to premarute aging of the body as a whole.
The owner of an ozone installation should advise any person who may be exposed to ozone that those with a history of heart or respiratory disease shoud take very precaution to avoid exposure to ozone.