What is 'Ozone'?

The most common question I get asked is, "What is ozone?"

People may have heard of it in relation to swimming pool cleaning or the layer in our atmosphere, but many aren’t familiar with medical ozone—what it is, how it works, or how it’s used.

Ozone was discovered over 150 years ago in the mid-1800s by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein, who noticed a distinct smell during his experiments and named it ozone (from the Greek ozein, meaning ‘to smell’). Nikola Tesla received a patent related to ozone in 1896 and titled it ‘Apparatus for producing ozone’. He saw its potential for sterilisation, air purification, and even medical use.

To break it down into a simplified understanding: there are three main 'types' of ozone—Environmental, Industrial, and Medical. It is an unstable gas that cannot easily be packaged or stored and consists of oxygen molecules that have been energised or excited.

 1.      Environmental (Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone)

You’ve likely heard of the ozone layer (stratosphere) at some point. To clarify, it’s a layer of gas located 20-30 km above the Earth's surface. Oxygen released through respiration rises into the atmosphere and is energized by the sun, forming ozone. Ozone is produced from three basic sources of energy: Chemical electrolysis, electrical discharges and UV light radiation (think lightning strikes or the force of crashing water at the base of a waterfall) where the stable oxygen molecule is energized into an allotropic form of oxygen.

2.     Industrial

Ozone is used in various industrial applications, some of which include:

a)      Water Treatment: Ozone is used to purify drinking water and treat wastewater by disinfecting and removing contaminants.

b)      Swimming Pools: Ozone is used in pool filtration systems to replace chlorine, reducing the need for chemicals and minimizing irritation to the eyes and skin.

c)      Air Purification: Ozone is used in air filtration systems to remove odors, bacteria, and other airborne pollutants.

d)      Food Processing: Ozone helps sanitise food and equipment, extending shelf life by killing bacteria and pathogens.

e)      Wastewater Treatment: In industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food processing, ozone is used to treat industrial wastewater, breaking down contaminants and neutralizing harmful substances.

f)       Surface Sterilization: Ozone is used for disinfecting surfaces in industries like healthcare, food production, and pharmaceuticals.

g)      Textile Industry: Ozone is used in the bleaching and cleaning of fabrics without the need for harsh chemicals.

h)      Pulp and Paper Industry: Ozone helps in the bleaching process, providing a more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine.

i)       Oil and Gas: Ozone is used to treat wastewater and remove contaminants in oil and gas operations.

j)       Deodorisation: Ozone is used to eliminate odors in various industrial settings, including manufacturing plants, warehouses, and waste management facilities.

These applications utilize ozone's strong oxidizing properties to disinfect, purify, and efficiently break down contaminants.

 3.      Medical

Its therapeutic/medical use become more widely known from the early 1900’s particularly across Europe, with German doctors making use of ozone in World War 1 to clean infected wounds and to help speed up healing in patients.

Primarily used by alternative and integrative medicine practitioners, ozone therapy is gradually making its way into more mainstream medical and dental practices. With the rise of superbugs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, there’s an increasing need to explore alternative treatment options.  With a greater awareness of the negative side effects and long-term damage caused by pharmaceutical drugs, there is more focus being put on holistic approaches to health and wellness, often emphasizing natural remedies, prevention, and the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Medical ozone therapy works by introducing ozone gas (O₃) into the body in controlled doses and at specific concentrations, to reduce inflammation, improve oxygen delivery to tissues and speed up healing.

Here’s how it works in a few key steps:

1. Ozone Generation: Ozone is made using a special machine called an ozone generator. It takes pure oxygen and gives it an energy boost, turning it into ozone. Because ozone doesn’t last very long—only about 30 minutes at room temperature—it has to be made fresh every time it’s used.
2. Administration: Ozone is administered in various ways and common methods include:
• Intravenous (IV) Therapy: Ozone is introduced into the bloodstream via injection into a vein.
• Autohemotherapy: A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, mixed with ozone, and then re-infused into the body.
• Ozone Insufflation: Ozone can be introduced into the body through the ears, breathing it in through the mouth or via the rectum or vagina, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
3. Mechanism of Action: Ozone works by stimulating the body's natural healing processes. It has powerful antimicrobial properties helping to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also enhances oxygen delivery to tissues, reduces inflammation, and promotes the production of antioxidants. The body responds by activating immune cells, improving circulation, and encouraging tissue repair.
4. Therapeutic Effects: Medical ozone therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, circulatory issues, wounds and pain. It is also used to enhance the body’s overall detoxification processes and to promote general health and well-being.

Medical ozone therapy is considered a non-invasive, adjunctive treatment that can support the body’s healing mechanisms and improve overall health. It is typically used alongside other conventional treatments and it is imperative to seek out a trained ozone practitioner, as the administration of the incorrect concentration/dosage of ozone can lead to immune system suppression.

While it’s widely adopted in certain countries (Germany, Italy, Russia etc) it is strictly restricted in countries like the USA. Despite widespread evidence around the benefits of medical ozone, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - which is largely funded by the pharmaceutical industry - took a stance that “Ozone is a toxic gas with no known useful medical application in specific, adjunctive, or preventive therapy.” A simple Google search may lead to conflicting information and what many would consider to be a smear campaign, advising against the use of ozone therapy.

Below are a few resources that can provide one with a more detailed understanding of how ozone therapy works, its applications, and the scientific evidence supporting its use in medicine.

• The International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy.
• Website: https://isco3.org/
• This organization offers research on ozone therapy for medical professionals.
• PubMed (National Institutes of Health)
• Website: PubMed
• PubMed provides access to scientific research articles on ozone therapy. Searching for terms like “medical ozone therapy” or “ozone therapy clinical studies” can yield peer-reviewed research papers that dive deeper into its effectiveness and usage.
• Ozone Therapies Group
• Website: https://ozonetherapiesgroup.com/
• This resource offers information and articles on ozone therapy research and clinical practice, focusing on its medical applications and scientific studies.
• The Ozone Therapy Manual by Dr. Frank Shallenberger
• Dr. Frank Shallenberger is a pioneer in ozone therapy, and his manual provides in-depth insight into the therapeutic uses and practical applications of ozone in medicine.
• Available on various book platforms, such as Amazon.

References:

1.      Bocci, V. (2005). Ozone: A new medical drug. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/b137856

2.      Dighe, K. (2023). Medical ozone therapy market size & share analysis – Industry research report – Growth trends. Coherent Market Insights. https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/industry-reports/medical-ozone-therapy-market

3.      Elvis, A. M., & Ekta, J. S. (2011). Ozone therapy: A clinical review. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, 2(1), 66–70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312702/

4.      European Ozone Trade Association. (n.d.). History of ozone. https://www.eurotreatmedical.com/history-of-ozone/

5.      International Ozone Association. (n.d.). Applications of ozone. https://www.ioa-pag.org/applications-of-ozone

6.      ISCO3 – International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy. (n.d.). Ozone therapy guidelines. https://isco3.org/

7.      Light, D. W., & Lexchin, J. (2012). Pharmaceutical research and development: What do we get for all that money? BMJ, 345, e4348. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e4348

8.      Menéndez, S., & León, O. S. (2020). Ozone therapy in medicine: Clinical results and basic research. AEPROMO/ISCO3.

9.      NASA Earth Observatory. (n.d.). The ozone layer. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/OzoneLayer

10.   Science Magazine. (2018). How industry money reaches FDA reviewers. Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/how-industry-money-reaches-fda-drug-reviewers

11.   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners

12.   U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2003). Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, 801.415 – Maximum acceptable levels of ozone. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-801/subpart-E/section-801.415

13.   U.S. Patent No. 568,177. (1896). Apparatus for producing ozone. Nikola Tesla. https://patents.google.com/patent/US568177A

14.   World Health Organization. (2006). Ozone in drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality. https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/ozone.pdf

15.   World Meteorological Organization. (2018). Scientific assessment of ozone depletion: 2018. https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/library/scientific-assessment-of-ozone-depletion-2018

U.S. Congressional Research Service. (2022). FDA user fees 101. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11997